tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44631284804274390882024-03-27T19:30:04.291-07:00The Things of God are of Deep ImportJon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-13474071787057370572023-12-21T19:49:00.000-08:002023-12-21T19:49:01.586-08:00Thou Canst not Accomplish So Great a Work<p>1 Nephi 17:19 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 17</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceeding sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts. And now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying, We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work. And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. Yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years. And our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things save it were death. And it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions. Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy. And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people, for they keep the statutes and the judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people. And our father hath judged them and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his word; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Judah in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 17</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Nefi, was exceedingly sorrowful </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">because of the hardness of their hearts. And now when they saw that </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their hearts, insomuch </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">that they did rejoice over me, saying, We knew that you could not </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">construct a ship, for we knew that you were lacking in judgment; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">wherefore, you cannot accomplish so great a work. And you are like </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yes, he has led us out of the land of Yerushalayim, and we have </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">wandered in the wilderness for these many years. And our women </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">have labored, being big with child; and they have borne children in </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">the wilderness and suffered all things except it were death. And it </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">would have been better that they had died before they came out of </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yerushalayim than to have suffered these afflictions. Behold, these </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yes, </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">and we might have been happy. And we know that the people who </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">were in the land of Yerushalayim were a righteous people, for they </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">keep the statutes and the judgments of yhwh, and all his mitzvot </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">according to the Torah of Moshe; wherefore, we know that they are </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">a righteous people. And our father has judged them and has led us </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">away because we would hearken unto his word; yes, and our brother </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brothers </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">murmur and complain against us.</span></p><p><br /></p><p> I personally believe that part of the endless depths of light that are made available to me, or any other person, in the Book of Mormon is that it is possible, in my opinion, to read the record and according to the present circumstances of my life be able to, through thoughtful introspection, detect changes that need to be made inside myself to live a more godly life.</p><p>I presently believe that if I faithfully respond to such present urgings towards godliness contained in the Book of Mormon record I can revisit the record again after the experience of living a more godly life and obtain even more insight into further changes that are required inside me to move me to an even more godly life still.</p><p>Is it possible that, in part, that might allow me, through the use of the Book of Mormon, to start to walk the path Abraham walked when he declared the following?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed. (Abraham 1:1 - 4, T&C 145, Abraham, 1 par. 1)</span><p>By accepting insights from the Book of Mormon and changing myself internally according to those insights, would that make me a follower of righteousness by creating the experience of living a more godly life?</p><p>Would living a more godly life put me in possession of knowledge?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You pray each time you partake of the sacrament to always have my spirit to be with you. And what is my spirit? It is to love one another as I have loved you. Do my works and you will know my doctrine, for you will uncover hidden mysteries by obedience to these things that can be uncovered in no other way. This is the way I will restore knowledge to my people. If you return good for evil, you will cleanse yourself and know the joy of your Master. You call me Lord, and do well to regard me so, but to know your Lord is to love one another. Flee from the cares and longings that belong to Babylon, obtain a new heart, for you have all been wounded. In me you will find peace, and through me will come Zion, a place of peace and safety. (T&C 157 par. 51)</span><p>Could it be correctly stated that living a godly life is a "hidden mystery" to me presently (i don't presently know how to live that way) and only through the experience of trying to live a godly life may I uncover that hidden mystery?</p><p>Would such a life journey give me knowledge and put me on the path of being a follower after righteousness?</p><p>By revisiting the record after such a journey and acquiring even more insights that allow me to, by further practice, obedience, and experience, work towards an even greater change internally to live an even more godly life, would that have the effect of making me a greater follower of righteousness and put me in possession of even greater knowledge?</p><p>Does the Book of Mormon hold, on many apparent and also deeper not-apparent levels, instructions from God?</p><p>Is it possible for any individual by finding out these instructions to keep the commandments of God?</p><p>Do I or any person have to have a complete understanding of what the message of the Book of Mormon is urging them to do before they can be obedient?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Doctrine is not to be understood as an academic or scholarly undertaking. (Remember the chapter in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eighteen-Verses-Denver-C-Snuffer/dp/0979845521?ie=UTF8&tag=fromthedesk06-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">Eighteen Verses</a> on <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=references&last=moroni+10%3A+5&help=&ro=checked&search=moroni+10%3A+5&do=Search&show=%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A">Moroni 10: 5</a>.)<br /><br />It is supposed to be understood in the doing. (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=words&last=do+will+know+doctrine&help=&wo=checked&search=john+7%3A+17&do=Search&iw=scriptures&tx=checked&af=checked&hw=checked&sw=checked&bw=1">John 7: 17</a>.) When you have done it, as Nephi has, then you will be able to explain the doctrine. To attempt to have a command of the doctrine without having done the will of the Father is to always be left without understanding. It is also not necessary to be able to fully expound the doctrine before doing it. It is necessary to take action consistent with the invitation offered to you. ("Don't Over-think Things," DenverSnuffer.com, August 29, 2010)</span><p>My present understanding is that what Abraham describes involves even more than what I am currently considering about the Book of Mormon, but would thoughtful introspection of the Book of Mormon record be a perfect way for me to, at the very least, begin walking in a path similar to Abraham with the added benefit, for me personally, of having time and experience and careful and ponderous thoughts in this process allowing me to develop internally to be firm in my mind in the things of godliness before I would be required to receive things that would not be good for me to receive without a firm mind?</p><p>Is it possible that is what the Lord is declaring to us here?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I desire to heal you from an awful state of blindness so that you may see clearly my will, to do it. I promised to bring unto you much of my gospel through the Book of Mormon and to provide you with the means to obtain a fullness of my gospel, and I have done this; yet you refuse to receive the truth, even when it is given unto you in plainness. How can you who pursue the truth yet remain unable to behold your own weakness before me? (T&C 157 par. 16)</span></p><p>Is it possible for me the come to a more perfect view of my weakness before the Lord by using the Book of Mormon in the way I have described above?</p><p>What about the Lord's continued words?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Unto what can I liken it, that you may understand? For you are like a man who seeks for good fruit from a neglected vineyard — unwatered, undunged, unpruned, and unattended. How shall it produce good fruit if you fail to tend it? What reward does the unfaithful husbandman obtain from his neglected vineyard? How can saying you are a faithful husbandman ever produce good fruit in the vineyard without doing the work of the husbandman? For you seek my words to recover them even as you forsake to do them. You have heretofore produced wild fruit, bitter and ill-formed, because you neglect to do my words. (T&C 157 par. 17)</span></p><p>Is it unreasonable to consider my own soul to be a vineyard?</p><p>If I can consider that my own soul is a vineyard, can I determine, with the help of the Book of Mormon record, that my soul is presently unwatered, undunged, unpruned, and unattended to one degree or another?</p><p>How can good fruit ever come from my soul if I fail to attend to it?</p><p>Is it possible with help from the Book of Mormon record for me to begin to water, dung, and prune my own soul?</p><p>I presently feel that the above considerations are related to what is occurring here in the record between Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel.</p><p>Let me explain.</p><p>Isn't it interesting that Nephi was not allowed to build the ship alone?</p><div><br /></div><div>Could the Lord have given Nephi both power and knowledge to accomplish the labor by himself?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared the following to his brothers.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And I said unto them, If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, Be thou earth — and it shall be earth. And if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me that I should build a ship? ... (1 Nephi 17:48 - 52, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 22)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Why did the Lord require the labor of Laman and Lemuel as well to build the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a similar principle of the Lord requiring Laman and Lemuel to be a party to the recovery of the plates; Nephi was not allowed to recover them alone?</div><div><br /></div><div>We talked in the post "The Commandments of God Must Be Fulfilled" that it appears to me that there was no option for the migration or the events of the migration to succeed unless all of them succeeded together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this the principle in action here with the construction of the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>If such is the case, how would the record be different at this point in the migration if internally Laman and Lemuel had progressed to be different people?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is it that strikes me at this time at this point in the record?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe and profess to adhere to a restoration movement begun by God through the Prophet Joseph Smith and renewed and re-invigorated by God again beginning in 2013 when God sent a messenger to declare that sufficient time had passed from the murders of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum for God to set Their hand again the second time to recover Israel and vindicate Their promises to the ancient Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that this undertaking is commanded by God to be accomplished by a community of people, not by a solitary individual.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">People claim they have kept the covenant, but such claims cannot possibly be. God’s covenant is for and about “people”—His people. It is not possible for an individual to keep the covenant. Everybody rises together, or everybody falls together. The covenant can only be kept as a community. Individuals acting alone can never accomplish what is required of the group.<br /><br />The October 4, 2018 revelation (T&C176) also focuses on community. It begins by addressing “people” and not the individual. The Lord’s voice to “people” begins and ends with two questions. After asking the questions a second time, He gives an answer to what ought to have been learned. Here are the Lord’s words to the people: <br /><br />You ask on behalf of my people and therefore I answer my people. Hear, therefore ,my words: What have you learned? What ought you to have learned? <br /><br />And then at the end: …I ask again, What have you learned? What ought you to have learned? I say to you...there is need for but one house, and I accept the statement you have adopted and approve it as your statement to be added. But I say again, there was honor in the labor of others. Whereas I look upon the heart and see faithful service, many among you do not look at, nor see, nor value what I the Lord love in the hearts of my people. As I have said before, I say again, Love one another, labor willingly alongside each other. Learn what you ought, and when I ask you to labor, do so wisely even if you know not beforehand what you will find. I do not ask what you cannot do. Trust my words and proceed always in faith, believing that with me all things are possible. All who have been faithful are mine...(T&C 176:1-2,12-13,emphasis added) <br /><br />God mentions His “people” in order to get our attention. The prophecies of God’s last-days work and the fulfillment of God’s covenants with the Fathers are not merely for individual salvation. The covenants are about “people” or a divinely organized community. Righteous individuals isolated and scattered throughout the world are incapable of vindicating the promises made to the Fathers. There must be people gathered together and living the correct pattern before the Lord returns. "Civilization", General Conference Address, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Grand Junction, C</span>O, 21 April 2019, pgs. 4 - 5)<div><br /><div>My present observations lead me to believe that everyone will succeed or fail together in this endeavor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be appropriately stated that what God requires now is "so great a work"?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is my personal condition in relation to "so great a work"?</div><div><br /></div><div>God, in mercy, has condescended to reveal instructions that demonstrate to me that I am in serious need of change internally.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...You have all been wounded, your hearts pierced through with sorrows because of how the world has treated you. But you have also scarred one another by your unkind treatment of each other, and you do not notice your misconduct toward others because you think yourself justified in this. You bear the scars on your countenances, from the soles of your feet to the head, and every heart is faint. Your visages have been so marred that your hardness, mistrust, suspicions, resentments, fear, jealousies, and anger toward your fellow man bear outward witness of your inner self; you cannot hide it. When I appear to you, instead of confidence, you feel shame. You fear and withdraw from me because you bear the blood and sins of your treatment of brothers and sisters. Come to me and I will make sins as scarlet become white as snow, and I will make you stand boldly before me, confident of my love. (T&C 157 par. 49)</span><div><br /></div><div>I presently believe that if I had been part of the migration of Lehi's group I would have behaved rather more like Laman and Lemuel in my present condition.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this restoration endeavor, how is it possible for me to cooperate with the Lord in a community effort unless I become a different person internally?</div><div><br /></div><div>How many times have I been a hindrance to what the Lord desires to accomplish because of my hardness, mistrust, suspicions, resentments, fear, jealousy, and anger toward my fellow man that prevents community between me and my fellow man?</div><div><br /></div><div>Envy, resentment, and misapprehending intent, anger, etc. are all things that I so easily detect in the actions of Laman and Lemuel as they relate to Nephi and Lehi and the works that needed to be accomplished during their migration.</div><div><br /></div><div>These things exist in me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have misapprehended the intent of people as they have moved to accomplish what the Lord has commanded them to do. I have rejoiced over people thinking them foolish in doing what the Lord instructed them to do. I have been envious of people as they have gone about to accomplish what the Lord has instructed them to do. I have been angry at people who have sought to do what the Lord has told them to do. I have considered that people who have been called by the Lord to do a work could not accomplish so great a work.</div><div><br /></div><div>What am I to do?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe God has mercifully sent instructions in the scriptures for me to obey to obtain knowledge by living a more godly life than I live right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following are excerpts from multiple blog posts expounding on the scriptures God has sent to give instructions for me to obey and therefore gain knowledge so that I may begin to walk the same path as Abraham, Lehi, Nephi, and everyone who has sought greater knowledge from God. </div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Harmless: Chastity<br /><br />I’ve told someone (and it has been repeated) that ‘the law of chastity is not what you think it is.’ If I were writing it for emphasis and understanding I’d write it this way: The law of chastity is NOT what YOU think it is. Meaning that the person I was talking to had a limited, misunderstood idea of the law. And, make no mistake about words, it is a law, given by God.<br /><br />Chastity begins with the first commandment given to the first couple who were made in the image of God. That command is to “multiply and replenish the earth.” OC Gen. 2:9. That is part of chastity: The obligation to employ the sexual ability and power to produce offspring.<br /><br />Chastity includes the command, “You shall not commit adultery.” OC Exo. 12:10. But if all you manage to do is to refrain from adultery, you are still a threat to your neighbor if you do not obey this accompanying command, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” Id. at 13. This, too, is part of chastity.<br /><br />The Lord explained further that chastity requires control over inappropriate sexual thoughts and fantasies, “I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart. Behold, I give unto you a commandment that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart, for it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.” NC 3 Ne. 5:27. Therefore, chastity requires you to have a firm mind in this form of godliness if you want to obey the law.<br /><br />The law goes on to describe the kind of relationship intended by the law of chastity. “You shall love your wife with all your heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else, and he that looks upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the spirit, and if he repent not he shall be cast out.” T&C 26:6. It is impossible to be harmless and live in peace through self-government if this part of the law is disobeyed.<br /><br />Then we also have this commandment, “Teach your children to honor me.” T&C 158:11 (part of the covenant with God). That is elaborated upon in the Lord’s command, “And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, the Son of the living God, and of baptism, and the gift of the holy spirit by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the head of the parents. For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, and their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. And they also shall teach their children to pray and to walk uprightly before the Lord.” T&C 55:5.<br /><br />You are not just obligated to “multiply” and bring offspring into the world, but part of the law of chastity requires those children to be instructed, warned and guided to the point they honor God. The best way to honor God is to obey His commandments.<br /><br />The law of chastity is intended to inform how you live your life, how you use the power of procreation, how as a husband you love your wife and cleave only to her, and as a wife you love your husband and cleave only to him.<br /><br />And, of course, chastity prohibits polygamy, “Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.” NC Jacob 2:7. That should go without saying, as should most of this. If you studied your scriptures nothing in this would be misunderstood by you.<br /><br />All of the elements of chastity are designed to circumscribe conduct within the bounds set by God to allow you to live in peace with others. It protects your family and protects your neighbor’s. But it requires a firm mind in every form of godliness to become such a harmless soul.<br /><br />There are many people who talk about a place of peace but who are utterly unfit to live peacefully with their fellow man. Sexual promiscuity destroys. It weakens the soul and leaves them unfit for self-government.<br /><br />If you cannot obey the law of chastity you should live where your failure is accepted, perhaps even welcome. The world embraces an increasingly diverse and ungoverned sexuality and you will be welcomed there. But do not think that you can live peacefully without having the iron will to follow God’s direction voluntarily and internally. No one will be governing you in the Lord’s city of peace. You must bring that peace with you....<br /><br />Harmless: Envy<br /><br />Envy is a little thing. A mere emotion. But that little sentiment harbored in our heart sends seismic disruption into society. Envy provokes resentment. Even if you do not act on the desire to bring down those you envy, holding it in your heart divides you from your neighbor. “Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before envy?” OC Proverbs 4:51.<br /><br />Envy destroys peace and removes all charity from the envious. “Charity envies not.” NC I Cor. 1:52. Envy cripples us. It is a disease to be overcome.<br /><br />It was envy that motivated the killing of Christ. As Pilate clearly observed when Christ was brought before him to be judged, “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” NC Matt. 12:21, see also Mark 7:21. This defect in our heart is shared with those who wanted the Lord killed. It originates in darkness and will destroy those who harbor it.<br /><br />Alma the Younger explained how unprepared we are for the kingdom of Heaven when we are envious, “Behold, ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared. And I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand; and he knoweth not when the time shall come, for such an one is not found guiltless.” NC Alma 3:5.<br /><br />Harmless: Ambition<br /><br />As the Lord suffered in Gethsemane, one of the terrible errors of mankind He confronted and overcame was the ambition of men, “He knew what it is like for men to satisfy their ambition by clothing their hypocrisy in religious garb.” T&C 161:23. Here ambition is linked to religious hypocrisy. Those do go together.<br /><br />Consider how serious holding ambition in our heart is when it can defeat the rights of priesthood, “That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to … gratify… our vain ambition, … behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” T&C 139:5, emphasis added.<br /><br />Ambition provokes people to seek more than another. It makes us long to excel, to get control, to have authority. At its core ambition produces unease and discontent. Ambitious souls needlessly criticize and back-bite others to make themselves appear better than the object of their scorn. It prevents us from being at peace with one another.<br /><br />A community plagued with any ambitious residents will never be at peace. It cannot be. The threat of harm lingers over it, and at last it will break out into the open and destroy any group where ambition is present, as surely as the failure in the 1830s.<br /><br />Being ‘harmless as a dove’ is among the greatest of accomplishments. A community of such individuals can attain peace. A community of any other kind will not have peace...<br /><br />Harmless: Pride<br /><br />The proud will be destroyed by the Lord at His return. “For behold, the day comes that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble. And the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” OC Mal. 1:10. Those words alone should make us abandon pride. But there’s plenty of other words to make it clear: Pride is destructive to the individual, their families, and to communities.<br /><br />“He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife[.]” OC Proverbs 4:94.<br /><br />“The Lord will destroy the house of the proud[.]” Id. 2:176.<br /><br />“Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” Id. 2:189. Think of that – Pride is an abomination to the Lord.<br /><br />The Lord responded to us and provided His covenant, but He began with a warning about there being unacceptable pride among us, “You have asked of me concerning the scriptures prepared on behalf of all those who seek to become my covenant people, and therefore I answer you on behalf of all the people, and not as to any individual. For there are those who are humble, patient, and easily persuaded. Nevertheless, people who are quarrelsome and proud are also among you[.]” T&C 157:1.<br /><br />Why is pride so offensive?<br /><br />The Lord alone deserves our respect, attention and obedience. The rebellion that began in heaven itself was instigated by pride. It is reported that Lucifer held these proud thoughts about himself, “[Y]ou have said in your heart, I will ascend into Heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” OC Isa. 6:6. He was not willing to follow God, but wanted to pursue his own self-will. Given that God has stated it is His work and His glory to bring about the eternal life and exaltation of man (OC Gen. 1:7), Lucifer could have achieved through humility what he forfeited through pride.<br /><br />There have been many people who were willing to follow the Lord for a short time. But by and by, they aspire to get attention, gratify their pride and satisfy their vain ambition. The Lord took notice of them in a parable about sowing seeds, “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth, and immediately they sprung up. And when the sun was up, they were scorched because they had no deepness of earth; and because they had no root, they withered away.” NC Matt. 7:1. We’ve lost some of those from our ranks. They still are out there, seeking notice, asking for donations, insisting they can teach you Torah and bring you closer to salvation, or other vain undertakings.<br /><br />The Lord has a great deal more in store for those who follow Him. But the proud wander away into other fields, and ultimately will be burned at His coming. When we are proud we are not harmless. We are a threat.<br /><br />A city of peace cannot include the proud because they cannot abide peacefully with others. Their self-will and vaunting pride makes them discontent, and their discontent spreads outward. It cannot allow peace to settle into the community...<br /><br />Harmless: Charity<br /><br />In the Answer to the Prayer for Covenant the Lord counseled us: “Be of one heart, and regard one another with charity. Measure your words before giving voice to them, and consider the hearts of others. Although a man may err in understanding concerning many things, yet he can view his brother with charity and come unto me, and through me he can with patience overcome the world. I can bring him to understanding and knowledge. Therefore, if you regard one another with charity, then your brother’s error in understanding will not divide you.” T&C 157:53.<br /><br />It is probably safe to assume we all “err in understanding concerning many things.” But that alone does not condemn us. Apparently the Lord just takes that as His responsibility to fix. He says: “I [meaning the Lord] can bring him to understanding.” That relieves us from fixing one another.<br /><br />We have a difficult enough challenge to fix all our our own nonsense, errors, ambitions, envy, and pride. That is the battleground. We do not need to export that battle into “fixing” our fellow man.<br /><br />A community of peace is almost certainly going to be comprised of flawed people who deal with internal struggles. But viewing our neighbor charitably, and letting the Lord help them (just as He will help each of us) to overcome our weaknesses can change the conflict away from us.<br /><br />Can we discuss difficult subjects without demanding that our neighbor “fix” his opinion to align with our own? That ought to be answered with a resounding “YES”. We are going to need to have difficult discussions about challenges that we will face establishing a city of peace under the Lord’s direction. We know erring in understanding is pervasive. It is easiest to see in other people. But what we see as their obvious failure is almost without fail something we can detect because we have that very same flaw. It is invisible to us personally. But move it onto our neighbor and it becomes glaring.<br /><br />“Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.” NC 1 Cor. 1:31. “Let all your things be done with charity.” Id., 73.<br /><br />“Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, hearts of mercies, kindness, humility of mind, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. If any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do you; and above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” NC Colossians 1:13.<br /><br />“[L]et him repent of all his folly, and clothe himself with charity, and cease to do evil, and lay aside all his hard speeches[.]” T&C 141:38.<br /><br />“If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours — for charity covereth a multitude of sins.” Joseph Smith, DHC 4:445.<br /><br />Charity, or love for one another, is the antidote for all the failings of the past. We needn’t fail. But we do need charity to succeed... ("Harmless" (posts 1 - 4), DenverSnuffer.com, December 3 - 15, 2023)<br /><br /></span><div>I agree with all of the above.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I respond to the urging from this part of the Book of Mormon record to me to look inside myself and see my weakness and the peril I personally present to a community effort (so great a work), just like Laman and Lemuel, and I apply the above principles internally in an effort to correct my failings, can I have confidence that God will make my weaknesses become strengths?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying, Fools mock, but they shall mourn. And my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness. And if men come unto me, I will shew unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness, that they may be humble. And my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Behold, I will shew unto the gentiles their weakness. And I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity bringeth unto me, the fountain of all righteousness. (Ether 12:26 - 28, NC Ether 5 par. 5)</span><div><br /></div><div>Would doing these things require me to be thoughtful and ponderous and self-evaluating over time through life experiences?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would I need to cry unto God to help me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is crying unto God part of humbling myself and having faith in Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I need to have God lift this burden despite my own best efforts?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can God lift this burden for me? </div><div><br /></div><div>Through such a journey, with God's help, can I become a more godly person?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can I become a person who will not bring peril to so great a work that God is undertaking at this time in history?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that if I become a more godly person by obedience to the above-expounded principles, at some future point in time I may come to this point in the Book of Mormon record and have other deeper meanings come to my attention, allowing me to continue to seek for greater knowledge and to become a greater follower after righteousness; an even more godly person.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-41588413783047689332023-07-02T11:34:00.001-07:002023-07-02T11:34:54.548-07:00I, Nephi, Was Exceedingly Sorrowful<p> 1 Nephi 17:19 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 17</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceeding sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts. And now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying, We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work. And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. Yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years. And our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things save it were death. And it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions. Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy. And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people, for they keep the statutes and the judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people. And our father hath judged them and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his word; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Judah in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 17</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Nefi, was exceedingly sorrowful </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">because of the hardness of their hearts. And now when they saw that </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their hearts, insomuch </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">that they did rejoice over me, saying, We knew that you could not </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">construct a ship, for we knew that you were lacking in judgment; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">wherefore, you cannot accomplish so great a work. And you are like </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yes, he has led us out of the land of Yerushalayim, and we have </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">wandered in the wilderness for these many years. And our women </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">have labored, being big with child; and they have borne children in </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">the wilderness and suffered all things except it were death. And it </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">would have been better that they had died before they came out of </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yerushalayim than to have suffered these afflictions. Behold, these </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yes, </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">and we might have been happy. And we know that the people who </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">were in the land of Yerushalayim were a righteous people, for they </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">keep the statutes and the judgments of yhwh, and all his mitzvot </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">according to the Torah of Moshe; wherefore, we know that they are </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">a righteous people. And our father has judged them and has led us </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">away because we would hearken unto his word; yes, and our brother </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brothers </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">murmur and complain against us.</span></p>I have always considered that Nephi was sorrowful here because he was, in my previous determination, at the very least a little "impatient" and "desperate" in his feelings.<div><br /></div><div>I believe that I get my interpretations mostly wrong, as I have previously stated, and if I happen to be right it is most likely that I am right about an idea but my interpretations are very incomplete.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that holds true for my previous determinations about Nephi's feelings as recorded at this point in the record.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would that be important at all?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that if my new determination is correct it gives me a measuring point to determine where I stand at any time before God in two areas.</div><div><br /></div><div>To begin:</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that God was very precise in Their selection of the terms that were translated into the Book of Mormon through the Prophet Joseph.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that They were and are still well capable of knowing what was in Nephi's heart at this time during the migration.</div><div><br /></div><div>God determined, from Their perfect understanding of Nephi's heart, that the Book of Mormon would declare that Nephi was sorrowful for the hardness of the hearts of his brothers not that Nephi was sorrowful for the delay of the building or because of anxiety about the building of the ship.</div><div><br /></div><div>If such is the case then this brings me to my first question:</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we discover in the record that Nephi truly did possess the confidence that the Lord would make available the means for His command to Nephi to build a ship to be accomplished?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Nephi's declaration here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. (1 Nephi 3:1 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 10)</span><br /><p>And here.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... for God had commanded me that I should build a ship. And I said unto them, If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, Be thou earth — and it shall be earth. And if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me that I should build a ship? And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon them. (1 Nephi 17:48 - 52, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 22)</span></p><p>Could it properly be said concerning Nephi that his confidence in the Lord was unshakeable?</p><p>Is it possible from the careful consideration of Nephi's record to this point to arrive at an understanding of how Nephi came to have such unshakeable confidence in the Lord?</p><p>How does Nephi's confidence in God to build a ship have anything to do with me?</p><p>Is the Book of Mormon telling me "what" great things the Lord has done or is it telling me "how" great things the Lord has done?</p><p>If this is a "how to" book, does that mean that I likewise am authorized and capable of arriving at confidence in the Lord that is unshakeable just like Nephi?</p><p>There is a book of scripture from the Prophet Joseph that was initially part of the LDS church canon but was removed by a committee from the LDS scriptures that has now been restored to its proper place in the scriptures through the renewing of the restoration in 2014 that was begun by the Prophet Joseph. It is titled The Lectures on Faith.</p><p>The Lectures on Faith is contained in the Teachings and Commandments volume of the restoration scriptures in T&C section 110.</p><p>I would invite everyone living to read and re-read and study and give careful and solemn and ponderous thought to the Lectures on Faith.</p><p>These lectures describe 1) what faith is 2) the object on which faith rests; knowledge that God exists 3) The character of God in their perfection 4) the correct idea of the attributes of God in their perfection 5) a correct definition of the Godhead 6) the knowledge a person must possess (and how to obtain that knowledge) that the course of life they are pursuing is in accordance with the will of God 7) the effects of faith.</p><p>My present understanding is that Nephi's life was an example of an individual who applied what is taught in the Lectures on Faith and thereby obtained confidence in the Lord that was unshakeable.</p><p>As an example, consider the following from the Lectures on Faith when contemplating Nephi's life.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Such was and always will be the situation of the saints of God: that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint, for such has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and unadulterated religion of Heaven (the only thing which ensures eternal life), that they will persecute to the uttermost all that worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of Heaven, and of their having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in him necessary for them to overcome the world and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual knowledge, realizing that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into Eternal rest and be a partaker of the glory of God.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For unless a person does know that he is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an insult to the dignity of the Creator were he to say that he would be a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him. (T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6, pars. 4 - 8)</span></p><p>In this very same lecture, we read the following concerning unshaken confidence.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But those who have not made this sacrifice to God do not know that the course which they pursue is well-pleasing in his sight, for whatever may be their belief or their opinion, it is a matter of doubt and uncertainty in their mind, and where doubt and uncertainty is, there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time. So that persons whose minds are under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence, and where unshaken confidence is not, there faith is weak, and where faith is weak, the persons will not be able to contend against all the opposition, tribulations, and afflictions which they will have to encounter in order to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus, and they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them. (T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6 par. 12)</span></p><p>If God is an unchanging God, is it possible for me to, like Nephi, obtain unshaken confidence unless I follow the very same path?</p><p>What does God declare to me in this Lecture?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is in vain for persons </span>(me)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> to fancy to themselves </span>(myself)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> that they are heirs </span>(I am an heir)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> with those, or can be heirs </span>(an heir)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they </span>(I)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are </span>(I am)<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> accepted of him, </span></p><p>Do I need to obtain unshaken confidence in the Lord?</p><p>Is it possible for me to obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life without it?</p><p>Just as Nephi was commanded to do physical works as well during his ministry, is it possible that the Lord has physical works that He would like me to do as well in my own small sphere of influence?</p><p>Given my weakness and failings, is it possible that such physical works might be to me just as challenging, relative to my greatly limited capacities, as building a ship was to Nephi's capacities?</p><p>Would I be found hardening my heart against a command from God and telling myself that I, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">knew that ye were </span><span>( I was)</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou </span><span>(I)</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> canst not accomplish so great a work. And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart </span><span>(I am led away by the foolish imaginations of my heart).</span></p><p>Why do these things concern me?</p><p>When the Lord extended a covenant again today in September of 2017 these are some of the remarks that He required to be spoken before the covenant was administered.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Although the laborers in this final effort are “few” you will be the means used by the Lord to complete His work in His vineyard (Id., v.70). You are required to labor with your might to finish the Lord’s work in His vineyard (Id., v.72). But He will labor alongside you. (Id.) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">He, not a man or a committee, will call you to do work. When He calls, do not fear--but do not run faster than you have strength. (Boise Conference Address (Opening Remarks) Covenant of Christ Conference Egyptian Theater Boise, Idaho, September 3, 2017 by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pg. 6)</span><p>My present understanding is that anyone who responds to the work the Lord is going forth to accomplish right now is right now or will be in some way at some time called by the Lord Himself to labor alongside Him in His vineyard to complete His work, whatever that work may entail.</p><p>As I consider how exceedingly important His work is at present and my own constant propensity to screw things up really bad really fast, it terrifies me to think of being called by Him to do anything unless I am able to have confidence in Him (unshaken confidence?) that He will prosper my inadequate efforts if I will meekly cooperate with Him.</p><p>Why the above sentiments?</p><p>I believe that the Lord allows everyone their agency when they are called by Him to labor beside Him. Anyone can work at cross purposes with the Lord, He allows that, even though He has called them to labor and even though He will accomplish His purposes regardless, in the way He has determined from the beginning. </p><p>Can you imagine how terrifying it would be to think about appearing before the Lord on the day of judgment if I have gone about jamming myself into His work to hinder it (working at cross purposes)?</p><p>How great and terrible would my accountability be before Him on that day?</p><p>My present understanding is that if I am to responsibly respond to a call the Lord may give to me to work beside Him cooperatively to accomplish something in His vineyard, whatever that may look like or whatever that may entail, my confidence must be solely in Him and it must become unshaken confidence or I will grow weary in my mind and faint because I believe that if I do willingly respond to a call He may give me I will be challenged and stretched and tested.</p><p>There is another facet to obtaining confidence in the Lord that I believe is important for me at this time in world history.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">So, some of you feel an inordinate anxiety at the events we can all see taking place throughout the world. You've allowed the politics of everything to make you desperate to flee. Well, it doesn't matter if you flee; the circumstances aren't going to change. And if you bring with you the conviction that “everything is political,” you're not going to escape the anxiety that you feel. <br />One of the reasons why political leaders find it very useful to make people frightened is because when they are frightened and they get to the “fight or flight” part of their mind, they cease to be rational—and they find themselves willing to adopt irrational choices to try and solve the problem that is making them afraid, even if the problem that they fear is of very little or even no consequence. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You're being played. You're being played, America. You're being played, the world. And you are allowing yourselves to be played as disciples of the Lord. You ought—of all people—to have an extraordinary amount of confidence that the Lord knows exactly what He's doing, and He's making provisions to accomplish the fulfillment of the covenants that He said He intends to vindicate. As well might man [put] forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri River [from running] in its...course (T&C 138:22) than man interrupt the purposes of God. It's just not gonna happen. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Patience is very hard to summon when you're stirred up to anxiety—“Oh, my God, my God, my God!!”—over something that your God has control over. He defeated an invading Assyrian army using fleas. He fed the Israelites who were tired of manna with quail that flew in to be feasted upon. The God of Nature is not troubled by what troubles you. And the God of Nature is probably nothing more than bemused at how you're acting in this moment of confusion and dread. Our Lord is unflappable and affable. And He's not dancing around, doing a pee-pee dance because He's afraid of what's happening today. He has absolute confidence in the ultimate outcome, and it's going to be exactly as He said it would be. So, fleeing—particularly at this moment—may not be at all what you think it will be. (Equality Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 3 - 4)</span><p>My present understanding of the above statement is that I ought to obtain confidence in the Lord so that I have the capability of getting rid of my unproductive anxieties and also so that I can develop the patience necessary to not charge forward when I ought not but to wait upon the Lord with confidence in Him that He can and will complete His work precisely as He has determined that it will be completed in the timing that he has also determined is appropriate.</p><p>I realize that I have been applying my present understanding of confidence in God to situations that involve groups of people and not just me but also, individually speaking, my present understanding is that I must obtain this unshaken confidence in the Lord in order to be able to be redeemed even as Nephi was redeemed.</p><p>Because of the above explanation, I do not believe now that Nephi's sorrow came because he doubted that the ship would be built, but I am able to look at the unshaken confidence Nephi was able to obtain in the Lord and determine where I am at present and that I must press forward personally to obtain the same.</p><p>If Nephi was not sorrowing because of a lack of confidence about the ship being able to be completed, can it be properly determined that Nephi really was troubled by his brothers' hard hearts?</p><p>Do we have other examples in scripture that describe individuals who sorrow because of the hard-heartedness of others?</p><p>What about Lehi concerning his sons?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, my sons, I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would hearken unto my words. Oh that ye would awake, awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe. Awake and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth. But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell — I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love. And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning. My heart hath been weighed down with sorrow from time to time, for I have feared, lest for the hardness of your hearts, the Lord your God should come out in the fullness of his wrath upon you, that ye be cut off and destroyed for ever, or that a cursing should come upon you for the space of many generations, and ye are visited by sword and by famine, and are hated, and are led according to the will and captivity of the Devil. O my sons, that these things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord. (2 Nephi 1:12 - 19, NC 2 Nephi 1 par. 3)</span></p><p>What about the prophet Mormon for the Nephites?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the Nephites began to repent of their iniquity and began to cry even as had been prophesied by Samuel, the prophet. For behold, no man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land. Thus, there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation, and their mourning, and their sorrowing before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them, that they would again become a righteous people. But behold, this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance because of the goodness of God, but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God and wish to die. Nevertheless, they would struggle with the sword for their lives. And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was past with them, both temporally and spiritually, for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away. (Mormon 2:10 - 15, NC Mormon 1 par. 6)</span></p><p>What about Alma's experience here?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass that while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying, Blessed art thou, Alma. Therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou received thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you. And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah and preach again unto the people of the city, yea, preach unto them, yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them. For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people — for thus saith the Lord — which is contrary to the statutes and judgments and commandments which he has given unto his people. (Alma 8:14 - 17, NC Alma 6 par. 5)</span></p><p>What about the three Nephites?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples one by one, saying unto them, What is it that ye desire of me after that I am gone to the Father? And they all spake, save it were three, saying, We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry wherein thou hast called us may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom. And he said unto them, Blessed are ye because ye desire this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old, ye shall come unto me in my kingdom, and with me ye shall find rest. And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three and said unto them, What will ye that I should do unto you when I am gone unto the Father? And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired. And he said unto them, Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved who was with me in my ministry before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me. Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death, but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the Powers of Heaven. And ye shall never endure the pains of death, but when I shall come in my glory, ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father. And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow, save it be for the sins of the world. And all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me while the world shall stand. And for this cause ye shall have fullness of joy, and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father. Yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fullness of joy, and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father, and the Father and I are one. And the holy ghost beareth record of the Father and me, and the Father giveth the holy ghost unto the children of men because of me. (3 Nephi 28:1 - 11, NC 3 Nephi 13 par. 3)</span></p><p>There are many more scriptural examples but I believe these are sufficient to demonstrate the point.</p><p>Why are these individuals sorrowful about the wickedness or hard hearts of others?</p><p>In the case of the three Nephites, they were changed so that the wickedness of others could not affect them in a physical sense at all. So why would they sorrow?</p><p>As a parent, I believe I can say that I understand a little at least of how Lehi felt with his children because I feel sorrow for my children's sorrows.</p><p>But how is it that the hard-heartedness of people who are completely unknown to those above-mentioned examples would cause sorrow in their hearts?</p><p>Is it possible that their sorrow at the hard-heartedness and wickedness of others is in any way related to the following?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There’s a direct relationship between faith, hope, and charity. Faith comes from obedience and sacrifice. Hope comes from the promise given to a person, by God, which their faith has secured for them. And charity comes as those holding faith and receiving hope, seek to have all others share in the same promises. The greatest gift you can give to another is eternal life. All those who have such a promise from God want everyone else to have a similar promise for themselves. They teach, preach, exhort, and write to share with everyone that same opportunity to gain hope in God. They understand how rare a thing it is to bring a soul to salvation. But they’re not interested in merely making a bad-person good or a good-person better, nor are they content to move souls from a Telestial destiny to a Terrestrial destiny. Those who have such promises for themselves long, hope, pray, and preach to bring every other soul back to God to dwell with Him in Celestial glory. They seek the eternal life of all mankind. They participate with God in His great work. They join Christ in His declaration:<br /><br />For behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore, he suffered the pain of all men that all men might repent and come unto him. And he ha[th] risen again from the dead that he might bring all men unto him on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repent[eth]. Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father? And now if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me in the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me? (<a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/jshistory/15.31#31">JSH 15:31</a> RE)<br /><br />It’s a rare thing when any person acquires the firm hope of a glorious resurrection, secured through the voice of the Father, declared by the Holy Spirit of Promise. The wonder is that it happens at all. But it does. And for those to whom such hope has come, they want all others to receive the same promise. Joseph Smith, who had such a hope in him, spoke openly of these things. He wanted all mankind to be exalted. To some extent, we have quieted our voices on this subject. And we need to raise them again.<br />(82:Hope, part 3, Denver Snuffer Podcast, transcript, August 18, 2019)</span><br /><p>Is it possible that because of the above, Joseph, who had a firm hope in Christ, was able to declare the following?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 174)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>And the following;</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">All the religious world is boasting of righteousness; it is the doctrine of the devil to retard the<br />human mind, and hinder our progress, by filling us with self-righteousness. The nearer we get to<br />our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel<br />that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 241)<br /></span><p>Is this why Alma felt to declare this?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people. Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption — that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish, for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life. Yea, I know that he allotteth unto men — yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable — according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men, or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless, but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. (Alma 29:1 - 5, NC Alma 15 par. 12)</span></p><p>Could it be reasonably stated that an individual who has real hope in Christ has unshaken confidence in Christ as well?</p><p>Are all of these things given by God in order that we may see and measure ourselves in order to detect our own need to improve?</p><p>Should I be thinking about these things when I read about them in the Book of Mormon?</p><p>Should I note from this recorded event that even if I repent and arrive at the point where I do feel sorrow for the wickedness and hard-heartedness of others because of a hope that I have in Christ I should expect that they would misapprehend the reason for my sorrow just as Laman and Lemuel misapprehended the reason for Nephi's sorrow?</p><p>Does it matter at all if someone misapprehends someone else's godly feelings, intentions, or actions?</p><p>I would like to share two websites here.</p><p><a href="http://Scriptures.info">Scriptures.info</a> and <a href="https://bornofwater.org/">https://bornofwater.org/</a></p><p>The scriptures.info website contains all of the restoration scriptures available for free to anyone who would like to access them.</p><p>The Bornofwater.org website states the "Doctrine of Christ" as declared by Christ Himself at the time He visited the Nephites following His resurrection from the dead. </p><p>If an individual, any individual anywhere in the world believes in the "Doctrine of Christ" they are eligible and worthy for baptism. Anyone anywhere in the world may register on the Born of Water website to request that someone with authority come to baptize them. There is no cost to be borne and there is no institution to join. </p><p>I invite all to study the restoration scriptures found on the scriptures.info website and I invite all who believe in the Doctrine of Christ to act in faith by requesting baptism.</p><p>My present understanding is that not all scripture that has come from God is contained on the scriptures.info website but that there are sacred writings that They, God, have established all around the world in all of the various cultures, which sacred writings will at some point be gathered together again in one in Jesus Christ; showing that Christ is the Redeemer of the entire world and showing that God has spoken to and loves every nation in the world.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-76010162519286708532023-05-13T18:59:00.002-07:002023-05-15T12:09:57.330-07:00Ye Shall Be Led Towards The Promised Land<p>1 Nephi 17:11 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 16</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make bellows, wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts. And after I had made bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire. For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. Yea, and the Lord said also that after ye have arrived to the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God, and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction, yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying, Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters. And thus my brethren did complain against me and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship, neither would they believe that I were instructed of the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 1 par. 16</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did make bellows, with which to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts. And after I had made bellows, that I might have the means to blow the fire, I did strike two stones <br />together that I might make fire. For yhwh had not thus far allowed that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make your food become sweet, that you cook it not. <br />And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that you shall keep my mitzvot. Wherefore, inasmuch as you shall keep my mitzvot, you shall be led towards the promised land; and you shall know that it is by me that you are led. Yes, and yhwh said also that after you have arrived to the promised land, you shall know that I, yhwh, am Elohim, and that I, yhwh, <br />did deliver you from destruction, yes, that I did bring you out of the land of Yerushalayim. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did strive to keep the mitzvot of yhwh, and I did exhort my brothers to faithfulness and diligence. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brothers saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying, Our brother is a fool, for he thinks that he can build a ship; yes, and he also thinks that he can cross these great waters. And thus my brothers did complain against me and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship, neither would they believe that I was instructed of yhwh.</span><br /><br /><p>I am very interested in Nephi's statement here in the scriptural record.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.</span></p><p>What was entailed in the Lord becoming their light in the wilderness?</p><p>What did that look like?</p><p>How exactly did the Lord prepare the way before them?</p><p>Were there other events, not included in the record, that occurred as well as what is recorded that also contributed to their knowing that they were being led by the Lord?</p><p>Is this event, described here by Nephi, a parallel to other journeyings of a people God has determined to work with as They patiently bring those people through a wilderness towards a better place?</p><p>What about the Jaredites?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward, and there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the land of the earth</span>...<span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that when they had come down into the valley of Nimrod, the Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared. And he was in a cloud, and the brother of Jared saw him not. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness and did build barges in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord. And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people. And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and for ever should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fullness of his wrath should come upon them. (Ether 1:42 - 43, 2:4 - 8, NC Ether 1 par. 4, par. 6)</span></p><p>What about the Israelites coming out of Egypt?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, Lest perhaps the people repent when they see war and they return to Egypt. But God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And they took their journey from Succoth and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (Exodus 13:17 - 22, OC Exodus 8 pars. 9 - 10)</span></p><p>What about the Nephites who followed king Mosiah into the wilderness?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi — and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him into the wilderness — and it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. And they discovered a people who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla, and also, Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass, which contained the record of the Jews. (Omni 1:12 - 14, NC Omni 1 par. 6)</span></p><p>What about the people with Alma who were baptized at the waters of Mormon?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now Alma having been warned of the Lord that the armies of king Noah would come upon them and had made it known to his people, therefore they gathered together their flocks, and took of their grain, and departed into the wilderness before the armies of king Noah. And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of king Noah could not overtake them to destroy them. And they fled eight days’ journey into the wilderness, and they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land, a land of pure water. And they pitched their tents, and began to till the ground, and began to build buildings, etc. Yea, they were industrious and did labor exceedingly. (Mosiah 23:1 - 5, NC Mosiah 11 par. 1)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying, Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me. And I will covenant with this my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage. And this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them, that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying, Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And he said unto Alma, Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the nighttime gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the nighttime were they gathering their flocks together. And in the morning, the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites; yea, and all their taskmasters were in a profound sleep. And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness. And when they had traveled all day, they pitched their tents in a valley; and they called the name of the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness. Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage — for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God. And they gave thanks to God — yea, all their men, and all their women, and all their children that could speak, lifted their voices in the praises of their God.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now the Lord said unto Alma, Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awoke and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land. And I will stop the Lamanites in this valley, that they come no further in pursuit of this people. And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley and took their journey into the wilderness. And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days, they arrived to the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also receive them with joy. (Mosiah 24:13 - 25, NC Mosiah 11 pars. 9 - 12)</span></p><p>Aren't there striking similarities in all of these migrations?</p><p>Didn't all of the above migrations involve the groups traveling through completely unfamiliar territory?</p><p>Don't all the accounts talk about being led by God's power; "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">I will be your light in the wilderness</span>", "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">I will prepare the way before you</span>", "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.</span>", "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night</span>", "<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness</span>","<span style="color: #2b00fe;">I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.</span>"?</p><p>I understand that these are "historical" accounts of God's deliverance of faithful peoples in the past but is it possible that these accounts have an a added purpose of focusing our minds on "how great things" the Lord has done?</p><p>Are these patterns that show us how the Lord might work to lead a repentant people out of bondage and wickedness in the future?</p><p>Can we find any examples in the scriptures where the Lord talks about a cloud of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night, and being led by the power of His arm at a time future to the above historical accounts?</p><p>What about Isaiah's words used by Nephi to describe his prophecy of the last days?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, them that are left in Zion and remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all, the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain. (2 Nephi 14:2 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 8 par. 10)</span></p><p>What about one of Ezekiel's prophecies of the last days concerning Israel?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As I live, says the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out will I rule over you. And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein you are scattered with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face — as I pled with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, says the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant, and I will purge out from among you the rebels and them that transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 20:33 - 38, OC Ezekiel 9 par. 8)</span></p><p>What about these words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph concerning the redemption of Zion following the failure of Zion's camp to re-establish the early church members to their lands in Missouri?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the redemption of Zion must needs come by power, therefore I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel, for you are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham, and you must needs be led out of bondage by power and with a stretched out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers, my Angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you, my Angel shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time you shall possess the goodly land. (D&C 103:15 - 20, T&C 104 par. 4)</span></p><p>Is it possible that in the last days as the Lord leads a meek and penitent group of people out from an existing society and to a place of peace, He will do so following the pattern He has followed before whenever He has led a people out from bondage?</p><p>Before continuing I want to say again, as I have said before, that what I am expressing in this blog, what I presently understand, what I find compelling personally, and what makes sense to me, is at the very best incomplete if it happens to be correct at all, but most probably it is a compound of incorrect assumptions and other thinking errors. My only thought in sharing these ideas is to hopefully cause folks to become curious to look into the Book of Mormon in a serious thoughtful way for themselves and let God inform them what the message of the book is. </p><p>I have wondered many times, and I wonder again now if I have conjured up in my mind "This is what the scriptures are showing" and then I think about how to parse the scriptures to fit into the shape I have conjured up in my mind. This is only one of the many reasons I would consider it dangerous to consider anything I share here without imposing a great amount of skepticism on what I have to say.</p><p>I do hope that with time and experience, I can demonstrate sufficient patient diligence to God so that They, in Their mercy, might be willing to make my views of their message more clear so that I can come to a proper understanding of Their works.</p><p>Now, to continue:</p><p>Is it reasonable to conclude from the scriptural accounts of the Lord leading groups of people out to a promised land in the past that the people being led out were at first living inside wicked societies and were in bondage to one degree or another?</p><p>Is it reasonable to conclude that things had gotten to the point in those societies that the societies were in need of fundamental repentance or destruction?</p><p>Did the Lord send messengers to testify of Him and to invite folks generally in those societies to repent?</p><p>When general repentance did not occur, what did the Lord do with a small portion of people who did repent?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited, and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. He ruleth high in the Heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool. And he loveth them who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers; and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent flying fiery serpents among them; and after they were bitten, he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform were to look. And because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished. And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses and also against God. Nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise. (1 Nephi 17:36 - 42, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 20)</span></p><p>Do the historical accounts of the Lord's deliverance of faithful peoples match the cycle that Nephi describes here above?</p><p>Is it possible that this repeating cycle that Nephi referred to here and what we find in the scriptural record is what we should expect for the gathering of the last days Zion?</p><p>Are we presently in a position of bondage living among a wicked society?</p><p>If there is a pattern, then would that entail God first sending a messenger to declare repentance?</p><p>When God sent messengers in the past to declare repentance did they come from inside or outside of the established and recognized institutions and religions of the society?</p><p>As examples: Lehi, Abinadi, Alma the Younger, Samuel the Lamanite, Jesus, Jeremiah, Joseph Smith, etc. Where any of these messengers inside of the established and recognized institutions and religions of their societies?</p><p>How did anyone who responded to the message of repentance know that the messengers had authority from God?</p><p>Was the message they were sent by God to deliver accepted generally by the population of the society or even by the established and recognized religions in the society?</p><p>For those who did accept the message of repentance God had sent, what was required of them to become a people who God was committed to working with in spite of their failings and need to change?</p><p>Is it possible that the following is a prophecy about our present day?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For in that day, for my sake, shall the Father work a work which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them, and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore, they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Therefore, it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the gentiles, it shall be done even as Moses said — They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant...(3 Nephi 21:9 - 11, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 12)</span></p><p>Is it possible that this event the Lord prophesied of to the Nephites is what Nephi is referring to here?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it shall come to pass that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land for ever. They shall be no more brought down into captivity, and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded. And that great pit which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church — which was founded by the Devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell — yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God, not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end. For behold, this is according to the captivity of the Devil, and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him. (1 Nephi 14:1 - 4, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 25)</span></p><p>If the Lord sends a messenger to declare a message of repentance is that a great and a marvelous work?</p><p>By sending a message of repentance is the Lord manifesting Himself in power and in very deed to take away stumbling blocks or in other words false ideas and incorrect traditions?</p><p>Both Nephi and the Lord speak in covenantal language:</p><p>"<span style="color: #2b00fe;">they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel</span>", "<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.</span>"</p><p>If we look in the scriptural record, is it possible to detect that when the Lord goes about to lead a people out from wickedness and bondage He extends a covenant to that group?</p><p>Is this part of a pattern of deliverance?</p><p>Is it possible that such events have occurred and continue to occur right now?</p><p>I witness that these events have occurred and continue to occur right now. You can read my living witness of these events here. <a href="https://deep-import.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-house-of-israel-shall-no-more-be.html" target="_blank">The House of Israel Shall No More Be Confounded</a></p><p>Just for conversation's sake, if my present understanding happens to be correct how would the Lord deliver a repentant group of people from present bondage in a wicked society?</p><p>Is there any place in the entire earth that is uninhabited or rather free from the rule of a currently existing nation?</p><p>What would it look like for the Lord to lead a group of repentant folk out of our presently collapsing society?</p><p>How would they know that they are being led out by the power and by the arm of the Lord?</p><p>Where would they go?</p><p>Would they be traveling through completely unfamiliar territory?</p><p>Ether prophesied of a place that will be established in the latter days; a holy city.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come — after it should be destroyed, it should be built up again, an holy city unto the Lord (wherefore, it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again and become a holy city of the Lord, and it should be built up unto the house of Israel) and that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there. Wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should perish not.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land, and it shall be a land of their inheritance. And they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord like unto the Jerusalem of old. And they shall no more be confounded until the end come, when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. And they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old and the inhabitants thereof; blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. And they are they who were scattered, and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, There are they who were first who shall be last, and there are they who were last who shall be first. (Ether 13:4 - 12, NC Ether 6 pars. 2 - 3)</span></p><p>Is it possible for the Lord to establish a New Jerusalem, a righteous place of peace, in the midst of such wickedness as we presently witness?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is foretold in both the Bible and Book of Mormon and is part of the Mormon belief about events that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. The location of the city is believed by most Mormons to be fixed in Independence, Missouri. From other revelations, Biblical prophecies, and teachings of Joseph Smith there is reason to doubt that location.1 Zion, the New Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God all relate to each other and will be developed and functioning in the last generation before the Lord returns. If this does not happen, the whole earth will be cursed (see T&C 151:13; see also 3 Nephi 10:1; T&C 31:14; Genesis 4:22–23).2 There is a new and different meaning in Christ’s Book of Mormon prophecy to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 10:2) that has come about because of recent events. Previously, Christ’s words seemed to foretell that the lost and scattered remnants would build the Lord’s House and the New Jerusalem; now it appears that there are covenant-receiving gentiles who are included — gentiles who repent and hearken to Christ’s words and do not harden their hearts will be brought into covenant as His people. Christ mentions three distinct bodies. First, those who have accepted the covenant and are numbered among the remnant of Jacob to whom Christ gave this land for their inheritance. Second, the lost descendants of the remnant of Jacob on this land who will repent and return. Third, as many from the House of Israel who will repent and return. These three will build a city that shall be called the New Jerusalem and will come to know God while gathering and laboring to build it. Then they will go out to assist all of God’s people in their lost and forgotten state, to be awakened to the work of God and gathered as one body of believers. And all who have any of the blood of Abraham, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, will come to be taught in the New Jerusalem. There the Power of Heaven will come down to be among them; the angels (and Enoch with his ten thousands) will come down; the Ancient of Days, or Adam (the first father), and Christ, also, will be in the midst of His people (see 3 Nephi 10:1). (T&C Glossary of Gospel Terms, "New Jerusalem")</span></p><p>How will such things be possible?</p><p>Is it reasonable to state that we presently find ourselves in a wilderness according to righteousness as a society?</p><p>If I happen to be correct in my present understanding that the Lord has sent a messenger with His message of repentance and at very least a small group of individuals has accepted the message (received it), how would the Lord go about to begin working with that group to eventually "lead them out"?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Zion is something that has only been accomplished in the known history of the world by two communities. It is prophesied that there will be a third. What is to be created is something so foreign to this world, that there is nothing in the world to use to judge how we are doing. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Even the scriptures do not give a blueprint to follow. If they contained the necessary information, Zion would have been established long ago. God alone will establish Zion. His instructions are vital and necessary for us. Once He instructs us, the Scriptures can then be used to confirm that His direction to us now is consistent with what He prophesied, covenanted and promised would happen. But the path to Zion is to be found only by following God’s immediate commands to us. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">That is how He will bring it. He will lead us there. There is no magic, there is no sprinkling fairy dust that will take you to where God is. It does not and cannot happen that way. He will lead us, teach us, command us, guide us, but we have to be the ones who become what He commands. We have to be the ones who do what he bids us do. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The greatest instruction that I know to have been given by God at any time, to any generation, is a rule of community found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Sermon at Bountiful. Now we have the Answer to the Prayer for Covenant, that not only resonates with the message of those two sermons but applies it directly to us in our peculiar circumstances, to fix our peculiar defects and urges us to be more like Him. (Boise Conference Address (Opening Remarks) Covenant of Christ Conference Egyptian Theater Boise, Idaho, September 3, 2017 by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pg. 3)</span><p>Is it possible that the Sermon on the Mount and Sermon at Bountiful could be considered the first directions and messages given by God as a "liahona" to this small group of individuals to begin guiding them out of this society through completely unfamiliar territory towards a promised land of a city of peace?</p><p>Is it possible that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">God’s immediate commands </span>to said small group of individuals could be considered the same as the writing on the liahona changing from time to time according to the diligence and head that small group gives to what the Lord gave in His initial directions in the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at Bountiful?</p><p>Are there tasks that must be completed as part of such a journey, such as taking what the Lord is now offering to both the descendants of Lehi here in the Americas and the Jews; both groups comprised of children of promise?</p><p>Is it possible that for such a group of people the principles of their success in travel mirror the same principles as Lehi's group?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression.<br /><br />And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow. For as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal), they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. (Alma 37:38 - 45, NC Alma 17 pars. 15 - 16)</span><p>I expressed in the previous post "Thou Shalt Construct a Ship" that I now wonder if both the Jaredite and Nephite passages over the many waters occurred inside of floating temples, sacred space, the Lord commanded them to build in order to teach them things and perform authorized ordinances that would give them power to approach Him.</p><p>Would such a thing be mirrored for a modern-day group of individuals being led out of our present society? </p><p>The Lord revealed some things to the prophet Joseph concerning the temple He had commanded the saints in Nauvoo to build in 1841 and gave them sufficient time to complete the task or be rejected as a church with their dead.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And again, verily I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me except you perform them in a house which you have built to my name? For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was. Therefore, verily I say unto you that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, and honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name. (D&C 124:37 - 39, T&C 141 par. 12)</span></p><p>As I presently understand from the above declaration by the Lord, if a temple that the Lord commands to be built is built in the way He commands that it be built and then He comes to it and accepts it as His house and dwells there then that house becomes a place where those repentant folks receive washings, and anointings, and baptisms for the dead, and solemn assemblies, and memorials for their sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and oracles, and conversations, and statutes, and judgments for the beginning of of the revelations and the foundation of Zion.</p><p>Would such things received in sacred space by a small group of individuals represent receiving God's immediate commands?</p><p>By receiving such things in a temple the Lord has commanded and accepted and where the Lord dwells personally, would such a group of individuals know that it is by the Lord that they are being led?</p><p>Would such things be indicative of such a group of people being led by His power and by His outstretched arm?</p><p>Just for clarification:</p><p>I've been using the phrase "small group of individuals" because it seems to be the reality not because it is exclusionary or what the Lord would desire.</p><p>I believe that the Lord would love for everyone to receive and respond to His message of repentance and be led out from our present predicament but for the entire history of the earth, an overwhelming majority of the human family have rejected His outstretched hand.</p><p>My present understanding is that this is the reason for the Lord's lamenting here in the scriptures.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Lord said unto Enoch, Behold these, your brethren, they are the workmanship of my own hands; and I gave unto them their intelligence, and in the Garden of Eden man had agency. And unto your brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should serve me, their God. But behold, they are without affection and they hate their own blood. And the fire of my indignation is kindled against them, and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them. Behold, I am God, Man of Holiness is my name, Man of Counsel is my name, and Endless and Eternal is my name also. Wherefore, I can stretch forth my hands and hold all the creations which I have made, and my eye can pierce them also. And among all the workmanship of my hands, there has not been so great wickedness as among your brethren. But behold, their sins shall be upon the heads of their fathers. Satan shall be their master, and misery shall be their doom, and the whole Heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of my hands. Why should not the Heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer? But behold, these whom your eyes are upon shall perish in the floods, and behold, I will shut them up. A prison have I prepared for them. And he whom I have chosen has pled before my face; wherefore, he suffers for their sins, inasmuch as they will repent, in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me; and until that day, they shall be in torment. Wherefore, for this shall the Heavens weep, yea, and all the workmanship of my hands. ""(Moses 7:32 - 40, NC Genesis 4 par. 7)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>And here.</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear and did witness of it, saying, O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers. (3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)</span><p>And this is what Nephi saw concerning those who would respond to the Lord in the latter days.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters, and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters. Nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth. And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. (1 Nephi 14:11 - 14, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 28)<br /></span><p>Back to the post.</p><p>If the presence of the Lord were to abide at a temple that He has accepted what would that look like?</p><p>Is it possible that His abiding presence would in any way resemble the following?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all, the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.</span></p><p>If the Lord commands a temple to be built and it is accomplished even as he has declared that it must be accomplished and those who are willing to receive Him are allowed by Him to enter in and receive all that He declared is the foundation of Zion would they not be approaching the destination of the promised land of a city of peace even as Lehi's group arrived in the Americas on their floating temple?</p><p>What were Isaiah's words concerning the established latter-day Zion?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.(2 Nephi 12:2 - 4, NC 2 Nephi 8 par. 4)</span></p><p>Who is it who will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it shall come to pass among the wicked that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety, and there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven, and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion singing with songs of everlasting joy. (D&C 45:68 - 71, T&C 31 par. 15)<br /></span><p>As I presently understand it, only those who have been led out because they have received the Lord's message of repentance delivered by His servant who He has sent and have responded and gone through the journey of leaving this society through diligent obedience to God's immediate commandments to them and have received the foundational knowledge that must be given by God to a penitent people in a temple that God has commanded to be built and then has accepted and the Lord abides there in order for the Lord to establish Zion will complete the journey to the promised land of a city of peace.</p><p>My present opinion is that those who, through all hazards, complete the journey will be well aware that it is the Lord who has gone before them and led them out and been their light and prepared the way before them in the wilderness and has led them to the promised land by His power and outstretched arm.</p><p>They will praise and honor Him for leading and protecting them.</p><p>In that day it will be the Lord who will be glorified for establishing Zion, a city of peace where the people of God will dwell.</p><p>It is His work. Only He can accomplish it.</p><p>There is so very much that ought to be looked at concerning this subject and this blog is so completely insufficient in even touching on the glorious migration the Lord has in His heart for a penitent, meek, and diligent group of people.</p><p>This migration is a migration that leaves Babylon and fulfills Nebuchadnezzar's dream that Daniel interpreted where all of the ideas, philosophies, economies, and so forth of Babylon will, at last, be completely obliterated by the Lord establishing His kingdom, without hands because it is He who is accomplishing the task, through leading out a few humble followers and going before them as their light and in His power to bring them to the promised land of Zion.</p><p>All are invited to participate.</p></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-53495931477732339062023-03-11T13:36:00.001-08:002023-03-11T20:56:53.027-08:00Thou Shalt Construct a Ship<p> 1 Nephi 17:4 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par 13 - 15</p><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.<br />And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. And I said, Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shewn unto me? And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 13 - 15</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.<br />And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of yhwh came unto me, saying, Arise and get you into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto me, saying, You shall construct a ship after the manner which I shall show you, that I may carry your people across these waters. And I said, yhwh, where shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which you have shown unto me? And it came to pass that yhwh told me where I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.</span><div><br /></div><div>I recently had the opportunity to listen to two individuals presenting scriptural messages. Both presentations resonated with me and I am in agreement presently with their conclusions. </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that at least part of the content of the first presentation fits very well with this part of the Book of Mormon record.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There are six times in scripture, three times in the Old Covenants and three times in the New
Covenants, that the story shows up of a father figure saving his family by crossing a “water.” Noah, the brother of Jared, Joshua, Lehi, and the Lord Himself, also each save a “family” by
crossing a “water” and establishing them in a “promised land.” Although the imagery varies
somewhat, the big idea is always the same. The fact that this theme is used in the time when the religion of the fathers was practiced, and
again in the time of the old covenants, and then once more after after the law of Moses was
fulfilled, suggests that the process is not obsolete. And the fact that the process is described
over and over again – in many different dispensations – implies that it’s always the way that
God uses to save his people whenever there is one on Earth who has patriarchal authority... </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now, it’s true that these six scriptural accounts of water-crossings don’t contain every element
that every other of the accounts contains. There is some overlap, and then there are some
unique bits that only certain of the stories have. But when we bring together the isolated bits of
information from the different accounts, then a pretty complete picture emerges of what the
process looks like – and, here’s the important thing, what the process will look like in our day,
when there is again one on Earth with patriarchal duties. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Six accounts are nice, but Jewish
custom requires a seventh in the series. Collect all seven, you get a menorah! A Tree of Life. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Here's an example of the kind of overlap that I’m talking about. Noah saved three categories of
beings aboard the ark: unclean beasts, clean beasts, and humans. And Jacob crossed the
Jordan, after his labors, bringing in his wake three categories of beings: flocks, servants, and
family. In both cases, the three groups serve as figurative descriptions of the families that these
men helped to save in the Kingdom of God. Families with members that showed varying levels
of faithfulness. These accounts of water-crossings suggest that three tiers of individuals are
always saved as part of the patriarch’s family. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Lord specifically directed Noah to make the ark with three levels. “With lower, second, and
third stories shalt thou make it.” So…, first class, business class, and steerage. Steerage is where
you keep the steers – those without the capacity to reproduce. Or if you don’t like that joke,
there are those who can “sing” the song of redeeming love, those who “speak” with the tongue
of angels, and on the bottom deck you find your “dumb” asses. I hope my stall has a window.
There are also three levels represented in the Ark of the Covenant. If you look for it, you’ll find
it. And by the way, it is called the Ark of The Covenant, so that tells you the price of a ticket. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now, speaking of arks. In three of the accounts of the water-crossing, the father figures are
directed to build arks or boats. The brother of Jared, Noah, and Lehi all built boats in order to
get to either a promised land, or in the case of Noah, a land that had been swept clean by the
flood. In either telling, the land on the other side of the “flood” is a good place to be, free from
many of the worries of the place they left – and boats were how you got there. A part of me
wishes that this meant that in our day some five-star cruise ship will carry us all off to an island
paradise with white sandy beaches and fruity drinks. But that’s not gonna happen. Alas! There
is no boat in our day. But there is a conveyance.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There’s a reason that Noah’s ark came to rest on the top of a mountain. It’s foreshadowing. It’s
to draw an equivalence with the latter-day temple that will be built in the top of the mountains.
I don’t doubt for a minute the historical reality of the voyages of Noah, and the brother of
Jared, and Lehi. But their stories are written, as with Jacob’s story, to convey multiple
meanings. Their boats really were boats, but they also symbolized temples. And, in a sense, the
latter-day temple in the top of the mountains will also be a boat: a starship, if you will, where
those that enter in will be taught to walk in God’s heavenly paths.
Here are a couple of fairly authoritative commentators, talking about what lies ahead.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall
be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say,
Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” The paths of God lie in the heavens. So, if
you’re going to learn to walk in His paths, you are going to have to learn how to walk in the
heavens. (Isaiah 2: 2-3, and D.S. podcast 14, “The Heavens”) ("Crossing Guards," Gordon Platt, Celebrating 40 Years-March 1, 2023-Provo Utah, pgs. 3 - 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the above explains a couple of reasons for the following parts in the record?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>And</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord and did go forth with me, and we did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lord did shew me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of man, but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shewn unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. (1 Nephi 18:1 - 2, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 24)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it interesting that although Nephi and his brothers are commanded to build the ship it is the Lord declaring clearly that He is the one accomplishing the labor of carrying Lehi's company across the waters?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that consistent with the pattern the Lord uses to do His own work of accomplishing His promises to the ancient Fathers through working with and prospering the labors of faithful individuals working cooperatively with Him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there varying levels of faithfulness in this migrating company?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that there is sacred symbolism crafted into the timbers of curious workmanship?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean that they did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men?</div><div><br /></div><div>I used to believe that statement applied to building a ship that was advanced technologically. Now I wonder if the statement has a reference, as well, to building something that was a sacred space.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that is why Nephi declared that the Lord showed him from time to time after what manner he should work the timbers of the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this event similar to the events of the migration of the brother of Jared and his group?</div><div><br /></div><div>In the record of the brother of Jared and his group we read, concerning their crossing in the barges,</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And they did sing praises unto the Lord, yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long. And when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth, and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them. And they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.... (Ether 6:8 - 13, NC Ether 3 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Was the Lord only interested in getting this group of people physically across the ocean?</div><div><br /></div><div>What was involved in "singing praises unto the Lord"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that there is more to the meaning of the statement "And they did have light continually", than that they just had physical light?</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord touched the eyes of the blind while on the earth they were able to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord has revealed recently</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I desire to heal you from an awful state of blindness so that you may see clearly my will, to do it. I promised to bring unto you much of my gospel through the Book of Mormon and to provide you with the means to obtain a fullness of my gospel, and I have done this; yet you refuse to receive the truth, even when it is given unto you in plainness. How can you who pursue the truth yet remain unable to behold your own weakness before me? (T&C 157 par. 16)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the Lord used the event of the crossing of the Jaredites to heal them from an awful state of blindness to see clearly His will, to do it when they arrived in the promised land?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that because the Lord touched the stones the stones showed forth more than just physical light?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that "singing unto the Lord" involved participation in sacred ordinances and ritual that had to be performed in sacred space?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the barges of the brother of Jared had been crafted with timbers of curious workmanship in order to be sacred spaces where the Lord could give the occupants light and where authorized ordinances could be performed?</div><div><br /></div><div>In the scripture record is it possible to detect that the Lord is trying to do more than just move faithful people to a different place?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said, If ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land, but if ye keep not his commandments, ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. (Alma 37:13 - 14, NC Alma 17 par. 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't Alma, speaking to his son Helaman, consider that "prospering in the land" is being able to come into the presence of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does God desire to simply have a group of faithful people moved from one place to a promised land only to remain cut off from His presence?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't obedience to the commandments of God required to come into His presence in order to "prosper in the land"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't God impart His commandments in sacred ordinances and ritual as well as in the scriptures?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The most useful and obedient servants of the Lord have been those who have been exposed
to the greatest understanding of His eternal role. The opening paragraph of Abraham’s
book is a direct statement of the relationship between knowledge and obedience. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">From the first generation, the Patriarchs used ritual to convey a great body of information
(a theatrical revelation) to initiates. The Book of Abraham itself appears to be a ritual text. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...the book of Abraham, far from being merely a diverting or edifying history, is a
discourse on divine authority, which also is the theme of the three facsimiles. The
[explanation] to the three plates make it perfectly clear that they are meant as
diagrammatic or formulaic aids to an understanding of the subject of priesthood on
earth. (Hugh Nibley, An Approach to the Book of Abraham, p. 178) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Enoch’s account (now in Genesis of the Restoration Edition of Scriptures) also appears to
be a ritual text. Hugh Nibley calls Enoch, </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...the great initiate who becomes the great initiator...
He adds:
His is the independent intelligence always seeking further light and knowledge. He is
the great observer and recorder of all things in heaven and earth, of which God
grants him perfect knowledge. The great learner, he is also the great teacher: Enoch
the Initiator into the higher mysteries of...faith and secrets of the universe; Enoch the
Scribe, keeper of the records, instructor in the ordinances, aware of all times and
places, studying and transmitting the record of the race with intimate concern for all
generations to come. He offers the faithful their greatest treasure of knowledge. He
is the seer who conveys to men the mind and will of the Lord. (Enoch the Prophet, p.
19, 21)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The religion of the Fathers cannot be adequately conveyed if it is separated from ritualized
knowledge. By using symbol, movement, gesture, dress, architecture, sound, orientation,
and setting, it is possible to embed light and truth in a way to engage the mind, spirit, and
heart of mankind. The temple can be the house in which it is possible to stretch the mind of
man both upward and downward by the things presented there. “The temple itself was but
a copy of the heavenly temple, the liturgy on earth a shadow of the worship of the angels”
(Margaret Barker, The Great Angel, p. 118). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is through covenant-forming
ordinances—including rituals—that the power of Godliness has been manifested to
mankind. The order of the House of God has and ever will be the same, even after Christ
comes, and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same, and we shall finally
roll into the Celestial Kingdom of God and enjoy it forever (T&C 117:4). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When writing from a dungeon in Missouri, Joseph Smith’s reflection on what is needed to
save souls clarifies the function of a temple: </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful
and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you
will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search
into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon
the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">…None but
fools will trifle with the souls of men.
How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our
meetings, our private as well as public conversations: too low, too mean, too vulgar, too
condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according
to the purposes of his will from before the foundation of the world, to hold the keys of
the [mystery] of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation until now, of
which some have tasted a little, and which many of them are to be poured [out] from
Heaven upon the heads of babes, yea, the weak, obscure, and despisable ones of this
earth. (T&C 138:18-19) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Accordingly, there is always going to be a temple when the Holy Order is present in its
fullest manifestation. Abraham also is directly associated with temple ritual. As Nibley
explained,</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> “There is a wealth of tradition now being zealously studied to show that the
temple ordinances really go back to the beginning, as Joseph Smith declared. The four
names associated with the tradition are those of Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and Elijah”
(Temple and Cosmos, p. 78). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">To return a complete Restoration, a temple will be required. As the Lord revealed to Joseph,
a temple is always required of God’s people: </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your
statutes and judgments [in]...beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and
for the glory, and honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the
ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my
holy name. (T&C 141:12) ("The Religion of the Fathers", Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.
Aravada Springs, Nevada
27 March 2021, pgs. 47 - 48)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the timbers of curious workmanship contained symbols, architecture, and created a setting that when combined with movement, gestures, dress, sound, and orientation were intended to imbed light and truth in a manner to engage the minds and hearts of those on the ship duringthe water crossing?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did God intend that a space be created that their minds could be stretched both upwards and downwards by the things that would be presented to those on the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>If such could have been the case would all of these things have been prepared in the wisdom of the Lord in order to impart the Lord's commandments to them through ritual and ordinance during the voyage so that through obedience they would be able to "prosper in the land" when they arrived?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that "prospering in the land" is related to these words from the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear and did witness of it, saying, O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers. (3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it necessary to participate in sacred ordinances and ritual in a sacred space in order to be gathered as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings in order to come into the presence of God and prosper in the land?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are we seeing, in these migration records, the creation, by the Lord's direction, of sacred space in order for the migrants to receive light and participate in sacred ordinances and ritual while they are traveling across the waters in order to be able to obey the commandments of God and prosper in the land upon their arrival by entering into His presence?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Nephi being directed to build a floating temple?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have another example here in the Book of Mormon record where it might be possible that something very sacred is being hidden right in plain sight?</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-12913272246003154012023-01-22T12:28:00.000-08:002023-01-22T12:28:15.873-08:00Arise and Get Thee Into the Mountain1 Nephi 17:4 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par 13 - 15<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.<br />And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. And I said, Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shewn unto me? And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 13 - 15</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.<br />And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of yhwh came unto me, saying, Arise and get you into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto me, saying, You shall construct a ship after the manner which I shall show you, that I may carry your people across these waters. And I said, yhwh, where shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which you have shown unto me? And it came to pass that yhwh told me where I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>It is interesting to me to consider how the Lord in His wisdom prepares things to nourish His children as they are obedient to Him and cooperate with Him as He goes about doing His work to fulfill the promises He has made to the ancient fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that Lehi's migration was a fulfillment of a promise that was made to Joseph who was sold into Egypt through his father Jacob (renamed Israel by the Lord) in a final blessing.</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall. The archers have severely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; but his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), even by the God of your father who shall help you, and by the Almighty who shall bless you with blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. (Genesis 49:22 - 26, OC Genesis 12 par. 29)</span><br /><br />My understanding is that Lehi was a descendant of Joseph and Lehi's branch ran over the wall to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills (the Americas).<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now Joseph, my last born whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee for ever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed. For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins, and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph. Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord that, out of the fruit of his loins, the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel, not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days in the spirit of power unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light, yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom. (2 Nephi 3:3 - 5, NC 2 Nephi 2 par. 2)</span><div><div><br /></div><div>His family, like his ancestor Joseph, was separate from their brethren; having left the land of Jerusalem to cross the many waters.</div><div><br /></div><div>The record that Lehi's righteous descendants left is calculated to save the rest of the House of Israel by breaking into pieces the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw; all of the corrupt influences permeating the entire world which began with the kingdom of Babylon; which influences still hold sway today. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since the Lord obviously gave this promise to Joseph through his father Jacob at least a millennia before the promise was put in motion, when did the Lord begin to prepare the land of Bountiful for Lehi's group so that they would not perish?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the preparation of Bountiful begun when the promise was given?</div><div><br /></div><div>How did the Lord keep the land Bountiful from becoming completely overrun by others before Lehi's company arrived?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have seen some evidence that persuades me that there were others living in the land Bountiful when Lehi's group arrived but am I correct in my understanding of the record that there were not great multitudes of people at that time in that area?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why these questions?</div><div><br /></div><div>What other promises has the Lord made to the original Fathers that are yet to be fulfilled?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For the sake of the promises to the fathers will I labor with you as a people, and not because of you, for you have not yet become what you must be to live together in peace. If you will hearken to my words, I will make you my people and my words will give you peace. Even a single soul who stirs up the hearts of others to anger can destroy the peace of all my people. Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. (T&C 157 par. 19)</span><div><br /></div><div>What other things has the Lord prepared to nourish an obedient group of believers who desire to cooperate with the Lord as He goes about doing His work now?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the land where Zion will be established?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The very day all the prophets have look forward to, from the beginning of the days of Adam<br />down till now, (as we looked at in Centerville) are upon us. You doubt God can bring this to<br />pass? You doubt what I have been talking about since we began in Boise, and have now arrived<br />here? If God can send someone to declare these things to you, in the confidence and the faith and<br />the knowledge that I'm speaking to you on His errand, and I can do it in this room, in this<br />building housing a casino, in this city built on gambling and desperation, salvation comes to you<br />today by the word of God. You doubt God cannot make a holy place somewhere that has not<br />been trodden under the foot of the Gentiles? You doubt that God cannot bring to pass His work<br />in culminating the ages? Have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, because it is coming, it is<br />going to happen, and if you lack the faith, you will not be invited. (<u>Forty Years in Mormonism</u>, Lecture 8, "A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit", Denversnuffer.com, Downloads, pg. 274)<br /></span><div><br /><div>These words from the Lord were spoken as the Lord was again beginning to extend His hand again the second time to the Gentiles in order to recover His house the House of Israel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where is this place that God has kept that will become a holy place and has not been trodden under the foot of the Gentiles?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that it will require work and effort by those who would dwell there to cause it to be a fruitful place but it has been prepared nonetheless.</div><div><br /></div><div>When did the Lord first prepare this land?</div><div><br /></div><div>From the days of Adam when the promise was originally made?</div><div><br /></div><div>What things must be completed in order for the Lord's promises to the original Fathers to be vindicated?</div><div><br /></div><div>What work will a cooperative group of individuals be willing and required to do in order to have the blessing of working alongside the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I understand it correctly, this all applies to right here and right now in world history so it concerns me if I desire to have the blessing of being involved in the Lord's work and if I desire to live so that I might be invited to go to a place of peace with my family.</div><div><br /></div><div>How long is "many days"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would the Lord be aware of how long it would take, or in other words how much time would be appropriate, for the group to recover from "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all</span>"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the Lord in a hurry to get Nephi to build a ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is the Lord in a rush to get His work done?</div><div><br /></div><div>I used to believe so. I really viewed in my mind that the flight of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem all the way to the Americas was a frantic push, required by the Lord, only interrupted by the wanderings in the wilderness due to disobedience.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is completely opposite.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I think the “Answer to the Prayer for Covenant” is the Lord pleading with us to take the time to talk through our differences. There is nothing in those words of counsel that require us to quickly resolve matters. Quite the opposite. The “Answer” is filled with instruction to us about the process, leaving the result to be obtained eventually—through a respectful process, no matter how much time may be needed. To the extent the Lord cares about time at all, He warns us against “haste.” ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, 27 Mar. 2021, pg. 43)<br /></span><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding of the new revelation titled "Answer to Prayer for Covenant", found in the Teachings and Commandments section 157, is that it contains many commandments given to whoever comprises the group of people today who the Lord is working with to bring about His purposes in vindicating His promises to the early Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe now that the Lord is very serious about His work being done with a willing heart but not in haste which He declared brings pestilence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this in any way related to what King Benjamin declared here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order, for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize. Therefore, all things must be done in order... (Mosiah 4:26 - 30, NC Mosiah 2 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If such is the case, what constitutes doing things in wisdom and order?</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe that the Lord is okay with purposely dawdling or wasting the time He gives to accomplish a work.</div><div><br /></div><div>He declared the following to those who were in Nauvoo concerning the building of the Nauvoo temple.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they my saints may be baptized for those who are dead; for this ordinance belongs to my house and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty wherein you are not able to build a house unto me. But I command you, all you my saints, to build a house unto me, and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me, and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me. But behold, at the end of this appointment, your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me. And if you do not these things, at the end of the appointment you shall be rejected as a church with your dead, says the Lord your God. For verily I say unto you that after you have had sufficient time to build a house unto me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongs, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me, for therein are the keys of the Holy Priesthood ordained that you may receive honor and glory. And after this time, your baptisms for the dead by those who are scattered abroad are not acceptable unto me, says the Lord. For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem — those places which I have appointed for refuge — shall be the places for the baptisms for your dead. (D&C 124:29 - 36, T&C 141 par. 11)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The sad history of Nauvoo is that they ran out the clock and did not complete the temple in the sufficient time that was given.</div><div><br /></div><div>They were moved out of their place. The Lord rejected the church with their dead just as He said He would.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how did the Lord determine what was sufficient time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following.</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There are no private lives. Every life counts. Your private devotions are more important than your public notice. The salt which preserves may be unknown, likely is unknown, to most people. But if you are the salt, then your private life of devotion to the Lord is saving the lives of many others. The angels want to begin the harvest. They are impatient to begin reaping and cutting down the wicked now. (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=references&last=3+Nephi+21%3A+12&help=&ro=checked&search=D%26C+86%3A+5&do=Search&show=%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A">D&C 86: 5</a>.) There is only time given because of a few who deserve more time to grow in faith before the harvest begins. (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=references&last=D%26C+86%3A+5&help=&ro=checked&search=D%26C+86%3A+6-7&do=Search&show=%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A">D&C 86: 6-7</a>.) Your growth is all that is keeping the harvest from beginning now. Therefore, how you proceed has consequences far beyond your own life.<br />When wheat is ripe it will be protected. When tares are ripe they will be burned. But the tender plants worthy of preservation are the only ones allowed more time. (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=references&last=D%26C+86%3A+6-7&help=&ro=checked&search=D%26C+86%3A+4&do=Search&show=%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A">D&C 86: 4</a>.) I advocate for them and realize how tenuous a position humanity itself is in at present. But you are the ones in the balance and for whom time is granted. How much longer no one knows, but your sins are not private. Your repentance is critical to all of creation. Do not think your life is your own. All of us have a share in your good works. ("3 Nephi 12:13," Denversnuffer.com, 8/Oct./2010)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Does the Lord measure "sufficient time" by the actions of some few tender plants that are developing into wheat?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should this be something I consider very seriously as I look at my own repentance or lack of it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the Lord know that this life brings setbacks and is full of failures that are all a part of the mortal condition?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do these things, the failures and the setbacks, count against those who have been given "sufficient time"?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the following?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There is a process that is underway. People are increasingly accusing, opposing, and fighting with one another without good cause. It is as if they are submitting themselves to listen to obey the spirit of Satan (or the spirit of strife, envy, jarring, accusing). That course is not going to change. I hope it may plateau for a season. There are things we have to do, and we need something other than chaos and warfare, in order to accomplish the things that we need to achieve. But I believe when the command is given, that we’re going to have to act with alacrity if we are going to be able to fulfill the covenants and the obligations that have been promised by God and handed to us to do. (The Book of Mormon Holds the Covenant Pattern for the Full Restoration, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., 22 September 2019, pg. 27)</span><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to act with alacrity when the command is given?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does that represent haste or hurry?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I feel fear or a need to rush when I consider the term alacrity?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following,</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">We’re not going to arrive where we need to arrive if we perceive ourselves as unequal, if we think of ourselves as greater and lesser, if we don’t think of ourselves as simply common servants, inadequate as we may be, to a Lord who loved and sacrificed Himself for our redemption. He is worthy. We can do our best and we can make a lot of mistakes along the way. Joseph did his best and it just didn’t work out. But what would have happened if the people, in July of 1840 when no commandment had yet been given, rose up and with alacrity decided that they were going to labor for the accomplishment of the task that Joseph was telling them was coming? What would have happened had the money raised and donated for the temple not been diverted by the temple committee to their own purposes? What would have happened if the lumber sent down from the Wisconsin mission been used for the construction of the temple rather than being diverted for the homes of the leading citizens? What would have happened if instead of God requiring yanking on the reins to pull the bit in the mouth of the horse of the restoration, what would have happened if all that was needed was for the reins to be lightly put on the neck of the horse of the restoration, to guide it where it needed to go? Horses are so sensitive that when a fly lands on their skin they can twitch to remove it. The people of the restoration are nowhere near as sensitive to what God would have them do, then or now, as is a horse. ( Remembering the Covenants, Denver Snuffer, 4 August 2018, pg. 6)</span><div><br /></div><div>If we look at alacrity in the context of the above statement, doesn't it represent more of a cheerful willingness to respond to God's commands than a rushed response to God's command?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the fear associated with a rushed response to the Lord's commands is the root of causing pestilence?</div><div><br /></div><div>If such were the case, would that be related to what the Lord declared here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now verily I say unto you that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold, I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments. But, unto him that keeps my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my Kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life. And now behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints — that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which brings pestilence. (D&C 63:22 - 24, T&C 50 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the "sufficient time" the Lord gives is whatever time is necessary for the Lord to determine if there are sufficient tender plants worthy of preservation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that "sufficient time" is whatever time is necessary for those tender plants, who respond with alacrity, to pass through whatever failures and setbacks this mortal existence incurs to reach the point where they become wheat and are able to cooperatively work alongside the Lord as He completes His work to vindicate His promises to the Fathers?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Lord is going about to do His work now, at this very time in the history of the world, should such thoughts be of critical importance to me personally?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I be ever asking myself, Am I working daily works that qualify me to be a tender plant acting with alacrity?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I, by my actions, qualify as a tender plant, responding with alacrity, will I be given "sufficient time" to complete whatever the Lord commands me to do personally without a need for me to run faster than I have the strength or a need for me to feel fear?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for tender plants acting with alacrity in responding to the commandments of the Lord to be filled with full confidence and to be at peace regardless of what is happening all around them?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have wondered it the command that Nephi was given after the many days to "arise and get thee into the mountain" is part of what Nephi declared here?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And upon the wings of his spirit hath my body been carried away up on exceeding high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things — yea, even too great for man — therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. (2 Nephi 4:17 - 25, NC 2 Nephi 3 par. 7)</span><div><br /></div><div>We have already addressed the subject of these exceedingly high mountains in this previous post <a href="https://deep-import.blogspot.com/2020/02/an-exceedingly-high-mountain.html">An Exceedingly High Mountain</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder how many times the Lord visited and taught Nephi in such places?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what the Lord has declared about such places.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But know also that I can do my work at any time, for I have sacred space above, and can do my work despite earth and hell. The wickedness of men has not prevented my will, but only kept the wicked from what they might have received. (T&C 157 par. 40)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>During such an event Nephi is given the command by the Lord to build a ship.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it because Nephi had always responded to the commandments of the Lord with alacrity that he had the confidence to build a ship and only felt to ask where to go to find ore to construct the tools to build the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Nephi feel confident that he had "sufficient time" to build the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>When Nephi went "into" the mountain the record states that he "cried" unto the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>What am I to learn from that event?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to cry unto the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it the same as praying?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is from the Glossary of Terms found in the back of the Teachings and Commandments.</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There is a difference between praying and crying to God. A petitioner who cries comprehends his desperate and lowly position. It is used eleven times in the Ether chapters to describe the brother of Jared.1 Amulek’s sermon to the Zoramites advises them eight times to cry unto God (see Alma 16:35).2 In these examples the petitions to God are not called “prayer,” but are called “crying” to Him.3Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you (Alma 16:35). For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night because of them. And I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry (2 Nephi 15:1). ("Cry Unto the Lord," Glossary of Gospel Terms, Teachings and Commandments)</span><div><br /></div><div>I believe the above.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding from the record is that Nephi comprehended his desperate and lowly position.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that anyone who is shown the reality of God's great unfathomable work comes to that understanding.</div><div><br /></div><div>Consider the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Moses looked and beheld the world upon which he was created. And as Moses beheld the world, and the ends thereof, and all the children of men who are and who were created, of the same he greatly marveled and wondered. And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon him, and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before he did again receive his natural strength like unto man. And he said unto himself, Now for this once I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed. But now my eyes have beheld God — but not my natural eyes, but my spiritual, for my natural eyes could not have beheld, for I should have withered and died in his presence. But his glory was upon me and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him. (Moses 1:8 - 11, OC Genesis 1 par. 2)</span><div><div><br /></div><div>I also believe that anyone who has been moved upon by the Holy Spirit after hearing the message of God sent to them by an authorized messenger understands their own nothingness.</div><div><br /></div><div>As an example.</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began, from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king: how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state, and also the plan of redemption which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name. And since man had fallen, he could not merit anything of himself. But the sufferings and death of Christ atoneth for their sins, through faith and repentance, etc., and that he breaketh the bands of death that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory. And Aaron did expound all these things unto the king. And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said, What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his spirit that I may be filled with joy? That I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him, If thou desirest this thing, if thou will bow down before God — yea, if thou repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.<br />And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord upon his knees, yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying, O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God, and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me? And I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead. (Alma 22:12 - 18, NC Alma 13 pars. 9 - 10)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>So, I believe that I must ask myself this question. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do I truly understand my own nothingness and my desperate situation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can I ever look at a time in my life where I have felt this way?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this fearfulness; to understand my nothingness and my desperate situation?</div><div><br /></div><div>How can I come to the point where I can "cry" unto God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this also something that ought to be on my mind continually?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I come to the point where I am able to "cry" unto the Lord, would that qualify me as a tender plant, at that moment in time, worthy of preservation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be incumbent upon me to live my life in a way so as to retain that understanding?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I do that?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can I find examples of that in the scriptures?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is coming to the point of being able to "cry" to the Lord a way for me to eliminate fear from my life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is being able to be in a situation where I can constantly "cry" unto the Lord a situation that will allow me "sufficient" time to cooperate with and work alongside the Lord while He goes about working His works?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that the record is literally pouring out all of these things for our consideration.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-51744058824210220772023-01-10T19:01:00.001-08:002023-01-10T19:01:52.739-08:00The Commandments of God Must Be Fulfilled<p> 1 Nephi 17:1 - 6, NC 1 Nephi 5 pars. 11 - 14</p><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness, and our women bare children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.<br /><br />And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide ways and means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. Wherefore, he did provide ways and means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.<br /><br />And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br /><br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.</span><div><br /></div><div>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 11 - 14</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness,<br />and our women bore children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of yhwh upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of milk for their children<br />and were strong, yes, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And thus we see that the mitzvot of Elohim must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the mitzvot of Elohim, he does nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide ways and means by which they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. Wherefore, he did provide ways and means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I would like to consider these paragraphs from Nephi's record together in this post. With them together, for me personally, they form an important context.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would also like to add in for consideration, either in this post or the next, the last part of the preceding paragraph from 1 Nephi 5 par. 10</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them and did chasten them exceedingly. And after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord, they did turn away their anger and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that this statement from Nephi, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled, </span>is in any way related to <span style="color: #2b00fe;">The works, and designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught, for God does not walk in crooked paths, neither does he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither does vary from that which he has said; therefore, his paths are straight and his course is one eternal round. (D&C 3:1 - 2, T&C 2 par. 1) </span>?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Given the Lord's statement "the purposes of God cannot be frustrated neither can they come to naught",</div><div>or Nephi's statement "thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled", if it is related to the Lord's statement, how can we declare that there is always agency at play in the lives of those who are involved in the day to day living of bringing about the "purposes" or "commandments" of God?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see such a possible paradox in action in the times and travels of Lehi and his family?</div><div><br /></div><div>If so, is there anything further that ought to be considered in relation to such a paradox?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the additional statement Nephi made concerning the matter?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide ways and means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>This is why I wanted to include a portion of the previous paragraph from the Book of Mormon.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to consider if what Nephi said about Laman and Lemuel's repentance related to what Nephi declared concerning God nourishing Lehi's group on their journey and that God's commandments must be fulfilled.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared that it was only after Laman and Lemuel's repentance following the Lord speaking many words to chasten them that the Lord saw fit to provide food for them again so that they did not perish.</div><div><br /></div><div>This brings up some questions for me because if I understand the record correctly this is the second mentioned time when repentance was required in order to obtain food.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Did Laman and Lemuel hear the actual voice of the Lord speaking to them and chastening them?</div><div><br /></div><div>If so is this an escalation, not in a good way, of what the Lord decides He must condescend to do in order to drive the point home that they need to repent?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this one of the times Nephi is referring to when he speaks the following to Laman and Lemuel?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time, and he hath spoken unto you in a still, small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words. Wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder... (1 Nephi 17:43 - 47, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 21)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Should I consider that Nephi shared this as a warning for me?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the answer to this is yes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I look inside and consider the times the Lord has spoken to me in a still, small voice?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe the answer is yes to this as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to "feel" the Lord's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a hard one for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does everyone "feel" the Lord's words in the same way?</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I come to know how to "feel" the Lord's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>I am still working on this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>When something, a teaching or a command, comes across as delicious to me is that similar to what Nephi declared about "feeling" the Lord's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>On what occasions in scripture has the Lord determined it was necessary to speak with a voice of thunder?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why not do it all the time; why only in specific circumstances?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Lord is unable to reach me with a still, small voice and so He then determines to condescend to speak with the voice of thunder does that create more of a situation where condemnation rests on me?</div><div><br /></div><div>2) How does such an event relate to still allowing Laman and Lemuel to exercise their agency?</div><div><br /></div><div>If this happens to be one of the times when the Lord spoke to them with the voice of thunder, how is it to be determined that Laman and Lemuel had a choice in the matter?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a serious question for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have sometimes wondered how anyone in a culture, where I can see from the scriptural record of Laman and Lemuel, that they believed in the scriptures and were a couple of times persuaded by the scriptural narrative to move forward to accomplish the commandments of God how they would have had the ability to choose a different course after hearing God with a voice of thunder.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe it to be so; that they always were allowed to act with agency. I trust it to be so. I just don't understand it how that works.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have wondered the same thing about Alma the younger; having the angel appear to him along the way which astounded him, if I understand it correctly, to the point of him remaining unconscious so to speak.</div><div><br /></div><div>3) What would have happened if Laman and Lemuel had not responded?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it curious that the entire group of Lehi, during this event, is affected by the actions of Laman and Lemuel?</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord does not seem to be providing a way for Nephi and others to leave the rebellious and continue on without them, if I understand the record correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I to assume that the entire group would have perished and the world-altering migration of Lehi's group would have ended right there at that point?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe so, if I understand the record correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wasn't the same principle at play on the ship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to determine from the record that the entire group of Lehi would have been lost at sea if Laman and Lemuel had not repented there for what they had done at that time?</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember during the events of the recovery of the brass plates Nephi and his brothers were "required", so to speak, to stick together through the entire exercise to be able to return together to their father with the brass plates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Was that following the same principle?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was there a covenant extended by God to the entire group that obligated them to succeed together or fail together?</div><div><br /></div><div>Has God ever done something, such as extending a covenant, that obligates a group in that way?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Salvation is individual. There is only individual salvation and no such thing as collective salvation. While I accept this as true, there is something else that is equally true: God wants “people” to collectively be His. In the revelations of July 14, 2017 and October 4, 2018 received from God (those are in the Teachings and Commandments as sections 157 and 176), the emphasis has been on “people.” Both responses by the Lord have gone beyond individual salvation to focus on people, Zion, and the New Jerusalem... People claim they have kept the covenant, but such claims cannot possibly be true. God’s covenant is for and about “people”—His people. It is not possible for an individual to keep the covenant. Everybody rises together, or everybody falls together. The covenant can only be kept as a community. Individuals acting alone can never accomplish what is required of the group... I cannot keep the covenant. You cannot keep the covenant. Only we can keep the covenant... Only we can keep the covenant. Only those who keep the covenant together can establish a new civilization with God’s holy House at its center ("Civilization", Denver Snuffer, 21/Apr./2019, pg. 1, 4, 31, 32)</span><div><br /><div>How would the commandments of God have been fulfilled if Laman and Lemuel had not responded and repented?</div><div><br /></div><div>What if the entire company of Lehi had perished, what then?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the Lord might have led Mulek and those who were with him to discover the brass plates, buried in the desert, as they fled to the promised land in a similar fashion that the people of Limhi found the gold Jaredite record among the deceased Jaredite people?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would such preparation of having a second group fleeing Jerusalem at a proximate time as Lehi's group be similar to having Nephi prepare two records in anticipation of a person, Martin Harris, using his agency later in the future to lose the first record?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the above is not the case, but agency is always in play, even though the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, how did God know that Laman and Lemuel would respond sufficiently for the migration to continue?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe the following statement.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Patience is very hard to summon when you're stirred up to anxiety—“Oh, my God, my God, my God!!”—over something that your God has control over. He defeated an invading Assyrian army using fleas. He fed the Israelites who were tired of manna with quail that flew in to be feasted upon. The God of Nature is not troubled by what troubles you. And the God of Nature is probably nothing more than bemused at how you're acting in this moment of confusion and dread. Our Lord is unflappable and affable. And He's not dancing around, doing a pee-pee dance because He's afraid of what's happening today. He has absolute confidence in the ultimate outcome, and it's going to be exactly as He said it would be. (Equality
Living Waters Ranch Retreat
Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.
Challis, ID
5 September 2021, pg. 4)</span><br /><div> </div><div>I also believe the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God," Why does God have foreknowledge of these things? Why does God know that, if He gives His trust to such persons they will be true to it? Why does God know these are the very people who will not break His trust in them? Why does God have such foreknowledge? His foreknowledge is not based upon conjecture but proof. It is not based upon merely hope, it is based upon God’s knowledge of them. He will never ask soft lead to do what He knows will require iron to endure. Therefore He chooses a suitable instrument based upon His foreknowledge that has been "prepared from the foundation of the world." </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And what does God foreknow about them? He knows this: "On account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place." That is, He knows they exercised exceeding faith and based on that performed good works before the foundation of this world. This was in the first place. This was long ago on some other rung of the ladder of progression. It was long ago, a great while in the past, when they were previously “proven.”<br />"In the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such." Did you get that? They have already been the beneficiaries of a “preparatory redemption” given to them before. They were redeemed before this, so they could be reclaimed for this ministry. They had chosen good rather than evil, and exercised great faith. They qualified to become something greater and minister to others so they, too, could look forward to their redemption by the “Son of God.” But now we find ourselves here, in this cycle of creation, and once again the game’s afoot. Once again we are left to choose between good and evil. Once again we are asked to exercise great faith and to rise up. We are once again in a position in which it is possible to qualify here and now for what will come after. You have the opportunity before you today. Choose good. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">At this moment you have the opportunity to exercise exceeding faith. Choose faith. You have the opportunity at this moment, in this dark place where we presently reside, to be identified by your good works, to become proven to God. Then, for the next cycle of creation, His foreknowledge of you will include the record of your exceeding faith and good works from here. (Forty Years in Mormonism, #7 - Christ: The Prototype of the Saved Man, Denver Snuffer, Denversnuffer.com, Downloads, pg. 200)</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that all those who were engaged in the migration as part of Lehi's group were selected from the foundation of the world, some to prove and others to be proven herewith, by the experience of the migration and the hearing of God's words through Lehi and Nephi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was God's foreknowledge involved in having Laman and Lemuel and others be a part of Lehi's group so that they (their hearts) could be proven by the experience?</div><div><br /></div><div>Paul stated the following concerning the times and habitations of everyone in the human family in this creation cycle.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious; for as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: To the Unknown God. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God, who made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with men’s hands as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth; and has determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord if they are willing to find him. For he is not far from every one of us, for in him we live, and move, and have our being. As certain also of your own poets have said: For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, engraved by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance, God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by him whom he has ordained; and he has given assurance of this unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:22 - 31, NC Acts 10 par. 14)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Did God's foreknowledge of Laman and Lemuel from previous cycles of creation allow them sufficient observation to be 100% confident that even if Laman and Lemuel ultimately rejected what was being offered to them that at the very least they would respond sufficiently for the migration to be completed?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was it God's foreknowledge that informed them to set the times and bounds of the habitation of Laman and Lemuel at this time as members of Lehi's family?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were Laman and Lemuel added upon by this experience?</div><div><br /></div><div>If any of what I understand is correct, what would that mean for me or for anyone else for that matter?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there things being offered to me now and to everyone in the world, as part of a work God is doing, that we have the agency to accept or reject?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was God's foreknowledge of us from previous creation cycles involved in Them setting our times and the bounds of our habitation to have our hearts proven during this time in the history of the world?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are we willing to seek the Lord and willing to find Him now?</div><div><br /></div><div>Just like with Laman and Lemuel, is our agency to ultimately reject what God is doing right now preserved?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it just like Lehi's group that no matter who ultimately rejects what God is offering, God's work will not be frustrated or as Nephi declared God's commandments must be fulfilled?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would such a proposition mean that God has always provided sufficient inhabitants, according to Their foreknowledge, who are both here to prove and to be proven in order that the work will be completed no matter how many of those who are here to have their hearts proven either accept or reject what God is offering? </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, another question.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did God "nourish" Lehi and his group by providing food for their families?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about this part of Nephi's account?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible that God "nourishing" Their children is related to spiritual gifts?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is the above event, recorded by Nephi, a description of a spiritual gift God bestowed upon Lehi and his group?</div><div><br /></div><div>This type of event, if I understand it correctly, is reminiscent of another event in the Book of Mormon record.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise authority over Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him, and cause that his children should persecute their children. For Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king’s priests, and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi and was driven out before the king; and therefore he was wroth with him. For he was subject to king Laman, yet he exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put taskmasters over them. And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries, and put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death. And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.<br />And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying, Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me. And I will covenant with this my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage. And this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them, that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. (Mosiah 24:8 - 15, NC Mosiah 11 pars. 8 - 9)</span><div><br /></div><div>Was the supplying food for Lehi and his group so that they could eat a spiritual gift from God to them?</div><div><br /></div><div>These are asking questions because I really don't have an answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I see in the scriptures that healing, which affects the temporary mortal body, is a spiritual gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>What about other miraculous events that affect the temporal mortal body?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about this event?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And Moses called unto all Israel and said unto them, You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land — the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles. Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old upon you and your shoe has not grown old upon your foot. You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you might know that I am the Lord your God. And when you came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us unto battle, and we smote them. And we took their land and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. (Deuteronomy 29:2 - 9, OC Deuteronomy 9 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If I understand this correctly, their clothes and their shoes did not wear out and they were supplied with food and drink for forty years?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are these things that pertained to and affected their temporal mortal bodies?</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason I ask this question is that I have always been very circumscribed in what things I have viewed as spiritual gifts and I am beginning to wonder if I have passed over noticing or even scoffed at people and events in people's lives that I ought to have stopped and thought about and asked God if They were extending a spiritual gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would such an attitude of thinking about and asking God about people and events in people's lives be in line with the following teaching?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit all; for to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, to another the gifts of healing by the same spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these work that one and the selfsame spirit, dividing to every man separately as he desires. (1 Corinthians 12:4 - 11, NC 1 Corinthians 1 par. 48) </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Should I have always been more liberal than I have been, in considering the "differences of administrations" and "diversities of operations"?</div><div><br /></div><div>The truth is that I have never understood what the phrases "differences of administrations" and "diversities of operations" meant.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I missed opportunities to praise God and to stand in awe of Their liberality and mercy and extension of gifts among the human family because I was putting Them in a box, so to speak, in the ways that They were allowed to work by faith in Christ among the children of men?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been a pharisee for so long in my thinking. I hope that I am beginning to break free of such hellish restraints. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-10776555651827871242022-12-11T21:05:00.004-08:002022-12-11T21:05:44.904-08:00We Had Suffered Many Afflictions1 Nephi 17:1 - 6, NC 1 Nephi 5 pars. 11 - 14<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness, and our women bare children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.<br /><br />And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide ways and means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. Wherefore, he did provide ways and means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.<br /><br />And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.<br /><br />And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.</span><div><br /></div><div>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 11 - 14</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness,<br />and our women bore children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of yhwh upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of milk for their children<br />and were strong, yes, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And thus we see that the mitzvot of Elohim must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the mitzvot of Elohim, he does nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide ways and means by which they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. Wherefore, he did provide ways and means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I would like to consider these paragraphs from Nephi's record together in this post. With them together, for me personally, they form an important context.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would also like to add in for consideration, either in this post or the next, the last part of the preceding paragraph from 1 Nephi 5 par. 10</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them and did chasten them exceedingly. And after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord, they did turn away their anger and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Nephi is describing several things in this part of the record that seem to demonstrate a pattern the Lord uses if I understand some things correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Could we first consider Nephi's following statement?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Are there other places in Nephi's record where he speaks of suffering, affliction, and difficulties while at the very same time speaking of rejoicing or being blessed?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Nephi's statement just previous to the above statement?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness, and our women bare children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What about the very first statement Nephi makes as he begins his record?</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days...(1 Nephi 1:1, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 1)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What about on the ship after being tied up?</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Wherefore, they came unto me and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold, they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long, and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions... (1 Nephi 18:16, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 30)</span><br /><br />What is Nephi, by constraint of the spirit, pointing out here?<div><br /></div><div>Why is there an overt effort on the part of the Lord through Nephi's record to bring this to light?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is an excerpt from a talk delivered on the 03rd of March 2019, titled "Signs Follow Faith". </div><div><br /></div><div>I agree with the premise being presented.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wisdom literature is about mature faith, where disappointments and difficulties are accepted and anger against God for life's setbacks is exposed as foolishness. Wisdom literature teaches about enduring, patient, determined, and resilient faith. Job's friends mistook his suffering with divine disfavor. One of the major themes is faithfulness through adversity and trials. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The first verse of the Book of Mormon echoes with Wisdom. It contains a profound lesson learned over a lifetime. Nephi explained: Having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days (1 Nephi 1:1 RE). He saw many afflictions. He was highly favored of the Lord in all his days, including those in which the affliction was visited on him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">How can one suffer many afflictions and be highly favored of the Lord? Wisdom literature would suggest that perhaps they are related to one another. Do those who are highly favored need to encounter afflictions to understand God's grace and favor toward them? That is a Wisdom theme. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When we say life should be easier, we are foolish. We're not wise. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In his final blessing to his son Helaman, Alma says something similar: I...know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions (Alma 17:1 RE). Trusting God does not remove life's trials. Trusting God will not keep afflictions from you. Trusting God will not prevent troubles in your life. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon explains a mature form of faith in God: resilient in the face of difficulty, enduring in the day of trouble, comforting in the moment of affliction. The faith of the Book of Mormon writers is not superficial, conditional, and weak. It bears up under trial; it is proven in troubles; it accompanies during afflictions. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon is, among other things, a Wisdom text. What if trials, afflictions, and troubles are not negative? What if they are gifts provided as an opportunity to prove us therewith so that we and God may show what is in our heart? </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Job asks: Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:3 RE). Christ taught: In this world there are difficult trials to be faced by my followers, but those who remain devoted will, like me, finish the path and experience the fullness of joy (Testimony of St. John 10:29 RE). (Signs Follow Faith Denver C. Snuffer Jr. Centerville, Utah 3 March 2019, pgs 1 - 2)</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Was Nephi able to demonstrate what was in his heart by his reaction to the afflictions and trials he endured?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did God prove Nephi's heart by such experiences?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see this pattern in other events in the Book of Mormon?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the events of Alma and his people being in bondage to Amulon and the Lamanites and not being allowed to cry out loud to the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't they cry unto the Lord in their hearts?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the Lord hear their cries?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying, Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me. And I will covenant with this my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage. And this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them, that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.<br /><br />And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying, Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And he said unto Alma, Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage. (Mosiah 24:13 - 17, NC Mosiah 11 pars. 9 - 10)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did the Lord immediately remove them from bondage?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did He remain with them and even eventually ease their burdens while they remained in bondage?</div><div><br /></div><div>What was the resultant characteristic that these people obtained by being left in bondage but being accompanied by the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is the experience with Alma and his people in any way similar to the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is this an important pattern?</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Should we expect this to be the case all the way along the path?</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord came to dwell in a temporal tabernacle He declared that He had come for a specific purpose.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now I confront the final trial on my path, and what should I say? Father, save me from the difficulties I now face? When this is the reason I have come into the world. Father, let all honor be given to you... (Teachings and Commandments, Section 171, The Testimony of St John, 9 par. 4)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Christ testified that He was finishing the path in order to become like His Father.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand it, even at this point, at the end of the path, Wisdom required that He, Christ, must pass through the experience of the final trial.</div><div><br /><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And they came to a place which was named Gethsemene, which was a garden. And the disciples began to be utterly amazed, and to be very heavy, and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this was the Messiah. And Jesus knowing their hearts, he said to his disciples, Sit here while I shall pray. And he takes with him Peter, and Jacob, and John, and rebuked them, and says unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death. Wait here and watch.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And he went forward a little and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto you; take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. And he comes and finds them sleeping, and says unto Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. And they said unto him, The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:32 - 38, NC Mark 7 pars. 10 - 11)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Was Christ's completion of the trial and affliction of the atonement a sure indication of His mature faith and trust in His Father?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Christ long for the trial to end just like we long for our trials to end?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">He longed for it to be over, and thought it would end long before it finally ended. With each wave he thought it would be the last, but then another came upon Him, and then yet another.<br />The one beholding this scene was pained by what he saw, and begged for the vision of the Lord’s suffering to end. He could not bear to see his Lord suffering in this manner. The petition was denied and the vision did not end, for the Lord required him to witness it.<br />The man saw that the Lord pleaded again with the Father that “this cup may pass” from Him. But the Lord was determined to suffer the Father’s will and not His own. Therefore, a final wave came upon Him with such violence as to cut Him at every pore. It seemed for a moment that he was torn apart, and that blood came out of every pore. The Lord writhed in pain upon the ground as this great final torment was poured upon Him.<br />All virtue was taken from Him. All the great life force in Him was stricken and afflicted. All the light turned to darkness. He was humbled, drained, and left with nothing. It is not possible for a man to bear such pains and live, but with nothing more than will, hope in His Father, and charity toward all men, He emerged from the final wave of torment, knowing he had suffered all this for His Father and His brethren. By His hope and great charity, trusting in the Father, the Lord returned from this dark abyss and found grace again, His heart being filled with love toward the Father and all men. (Teachings and Commandments, 161 pars. 9 - 12)</span></div><div><br /><div>The above scripture declares that it was by the hope and trust in His Father as well as charity towards all men that Christ was able to complete the ordeal.</div><div><br /></div><div>He, Christ, passed through this infinite suffering and the Father was with Him as He passed through it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Behold, the hour comes, yea, has now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone — and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me... (John 16:29 - 33, NC John 9 par. 18)</span></div></div><div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Gospel reflects that an angel came strengthening Him—which is not altogether an accurate description of what went on. He… The Father's presence never left the Son throughout all His sufferings. And indeed, part of the Son's sufferings was caused by the necessity to reconcile peacefully His experience of this unclean, unworthy state (with the feelings of shame and guilt that are caused by not being reconciled with God), and then overcoming that and being able to reconcile Himself again with the Father and coming to a place of peace and harmony and at-one-ness with the Father that this awful experience had disrupted.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It shattered the harmony that existed between the Father and the Son that had existed throughout His entire ministry, and it put the Son into the same position as the worst of the sinners who had jarringly disassociated themselves unworthily with the Father. And now here He is—feeling all of that—but being in the presence of the Father, as if He were advanced to the moment of the final judgment and coming before the bar of a perfect and pure God—but doing so unprepared, unworthy, unreconciled, unrepentant, and filled with guilt and shame. And all of that was put upon Him so that He could reconcile Himself to the Father, reconcile Himself and overcome the feelings of guilt and remorse of sin.( Easter Fireside
“Stand Independent” Fireside Series
Denver and Stephanie Snuffer
April 3, 2022, pgs. 3 - 4) </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, given the infinite trial and suffering for the infirmities of the human condition and also for the bondage caused from the sinful actions of the entire human family, that Christ passed through, He has arisen triumphant and possesses all of the power glory and honor that the Father has; Who went before Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>What personality and character does Christ possess after patiently passing through such things?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I know of no more cheerful a being in the universe than Christ. When He says, Be of good cheer, we ought to all accept that as the mantra. There is nothing that any of us will ever go through that He hasn't gone through, with a considerable greater degree of difficulty. He lived with a higher ‘specific gravity’ than any of us had to ever fight against. And He won for each of us a prize that is potentially eternal. It will be eternal, one way or the other. But if you take full measure of what He offers, it will be delightfully eternal. Cowardice is largely predicated upon fear. Don't be cowardly. Don't be fearful. Fear is the opposite of faith. For goodness sake, you're already in the battle! You're already going to be overtaken. The fact of the matter is that no one gets out of here alive. Live this life nobly, fearlessly. When you take the wounds that come your way, you make sure that they come to your front! Don't let ‘em shoot you in the back. Go about your life boldly, nobly, valiantly. Because it is only through valiance in the testimony of Jesus Christ that you can hope to secure anything—not valiance in your fidelity to anything other than Jesus Christ. (Denver Snuffer, Forty Years in Mormonism Series, Talk 1, "Be of Good Cheer", pg. 2)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>What did Christ learn by passing through this terrible experience?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As a result of what the Lord suffered, there is no condition — physical, spiritual, or mental — that he does not fully understand. He knows how to teach, comfort, succor, and direct any who come to Him seeking forgiveness and peace. This is why the prophet wrote: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [Isa. 19:2] And again: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [Isa. 19:2] He obtained this knowledge by the things he suffered. He suffered that we might avoid sin by being obedient to His commandments. None of us need harm another, if we will follow Him. He knows fully the consequences of sin. He teaches His followers how to avoid sin.<br />The prophet Alma taught and understood our Lord’s sufferings as he wrote: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. [Alma 5:3]<br />He can bring peace to any soul. He can help those who will come to Him love their fellow man. He alone is the Perfect Teacher because he alone has the knowledge each of us lack to return to being whole and at peace with the God and Father of us all after our transgression of His will. He is wise to what is required for each man’s salvation. (Teachings and Commandments, 161 pars. 24 - 26)</span><br /><br />As an individual passes through trials and troubles and afflictions, trusting in God to remain with them through the ordeal, do they learn things by experience that allow them to pass on knowledge to others who pass through similar if not the same trials, troubles, and afflictions?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that such experiences might be able to be likened to learning a new "language"?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I have not passed through a certain trial that another is passing through am I able to speak their "language"?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that I can and should try in all the capacity I have to assist anyone afflicted with anything but if I myself do not know the "language" they are learning by their experience with their affliction I would not be surprised that in many things I might find myself at a loss in how best to assist.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would be unable to say, "I know how you feel and..." I would at best be able to declare, "I believe you when you tell me that you feel .... I am sorry you are passing through this. I want to listen to you."</div><div><br /></div><div>By Christ descending below all things, would it be unreasonable to liken that experience to Christ having learned all of the "languages" of trial, burden, trouble, bondage, and affliction that exist and is able to communicate with any individual in any of these languages in a way that will lead them to peace and a completion their learning of the particular "language" they are learning?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Christ truly able to say now, "I know exactly how you are feeling and I know the way through"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that part of the reason for this temporal existence is to learn new "languages" so to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for us with our agency to work to avoid the experiences in this temporal state that were meant to teach us new "languages"?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would we feel if we have succeeded and end this life coming to the other side of the veil with a realization that we had squandered an opportunity to learn?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the pattern Nephi and really the entire Book of Mormon put forward of development of mature faith fit into the context of the following teachings from the Prophet Joseph?</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 346 - 347)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>and </div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination be aware of, because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God... (Teachings and Commandments 138 par. 18)</span><div><br />By learning new "languages" are we given the opportunities of learning to become Gods; knowing how to succor others in their afflictions after we have suffered through them ourselves?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are we given opportunities to go from grace to grace by receiving God's grace while gracefully passing through the experience(s)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are the capacities of those who patiently pass through the experiences increased?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are trials and troubles that we must pass through part of contemplating the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss?</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who pass patiently through such things, are their minds stretched?</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who pass patiently through such things, do they find themselves in constant communion with God during the experiences?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do those who pass patiently through such things experience careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts over the time of their experiences?</div><div><br /></div><div>Have those who have patiently passed through such things had experiences that have enlightened their minds to the utmost Heavens and allowed them to expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do people become more grounded, less given to fanciful, flowery, and heated imaginations, by patiently passing through such experiences? </div><div><br /></div><div>Is this pattern of obtaining mature faith, demonstrated by Nephi and others, the intended path to progress in faith?</div><div><br /></div><div>In truth, for me, the thought of such things is terrifying right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I understand that God knows what is best for me to experience in this temporal estate behind a veil. I believe that I can with honesty state that I trust that to be so. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope that whatever those experiences may be I will respond with patient trust in the Lord so that I may develop a mature, enduring, and resilient faith in Christ.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-12053679934590130902022-11-28T16:40:00.000-08:002022-11-28T16:40:06.547-08:00Our Father is Dead<p> 1 Nephi 16:33 - 39, NC 1 Nephi 5 pars. 9 - 10</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Ishmael died and was buried in the place which was called Nahom. And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael did mourn exceedingly because of the loss of their father and because of their afflictions in the wilderness. And they did murmur against my father because he had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, saying, Our father is dead. Yea, and we have wandered much in the wilderness, and we have suffered much afflictions, hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we must perish in the wilderness with hunger. And thus they did murmur against my father and also against me; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem. And Laman said unto Lemuel, and also unto the sons of Ishmael, Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren. Now he says that the Lord has talked with him, and also that angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he worketh many things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes, thinking perhaps that he may lead us away into some strange wilderness. And after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger. And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them and did chasten them exceedingly. And after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord, they did turn away their anger and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 pars. 9 - 10</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents again, that we <br />might remain for the space of a time. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And it came to pass that Yishma’el died and was buried in the place which was called Nahom. And it came to pass that the daughters of Yishma’el did mourn exceedingly because of the loss of their father and because of their afflictions in the wilderness. And they did murmur against my father because he had brought them out of the land of Yerushalayim, saying, Our father is dead. Yes, and we have wandered much in the wilderness, and we have suffered much afflictions, hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we must perish in the wilderness with hunger. And thus they did murmur against my father and also against me; and they were desirous to return again to Yerushalayim. And Laman said unto L’mu’el, and also unto the sons of Yishma’el, Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nefi who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brothers. Now he says that yhwh has talked with him, and also that angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he works many things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes, thinking perhaps that he may lead us away into some strange wilderness. And after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger. And it came to pass that yhwh was with us, yes, even the voice of yhwh came and did speak many words unto them and did chasten them exceedingly. And after they were chastened by the voice of yhwh, they did turn away their anger and did repent of their sins, insomuch that yhwh <br />did bless us again with food, that we did not perish. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I just learned something concerning the daughters of Ishmael from a footnote in the Stick of Joseph.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is something that demonstrates to me that my own understanding of scripture is colored by my own cultural biases and life experiences.</div><div><br /></div><div>This leads me to believe that I would be greatly benefitted in my understanding by learning about different cultural norms as they appear in scripture.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have always considered that the daughters of Ishmael here were completely in the wrong right from the get-go to murmur after the death of their father Ishmael; they were part of a divine endeavor after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the footnote in the Stick of Joseph dealing with this event.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">121 They were “sitting shiva,” at which time such murmuring would have been excused.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I looked up what sitting shiva means.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Jewish culture, for seven days following the death of a family member the family sits in mourning. </div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that during this time of mourning for their father the daughters of Ishmael were doing something that was culturally excusable because of the consideration for their grief.</div><div><br /></div><div>This leads me to ask myself, "How many times have I read the scriptures, imposing my western cultural traditions upon the text, accusing the participants in the recorded events of wrongdoing, and lost opportunities to gain understanding because I pass over something without considering the original cultural context?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that I am obsessing over something small.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just wonder about my own arrogance with respect to the scriptures. How many people in the world from different life experiences than mine or from different cultural and family traditions than mine or from lives filled with heartbreak, sorrow, and difficulties can and do see and share insights and light and understanding from the scriptures that I have never considered because, in my own arrogance, I feel that I have some inside track on things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be of great benefit to me to look around and take in, for consideration, the insights that others share about scripture?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be a good exercise for me to simply listen to others without trying to interject my own scriptural ideas and interpretations?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following talks about Enoch.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Zion cannot be brought through a “Strongman.” The talk I gave about the priesthood in Orem was given in part to inform you about what is necessary as a priesthood component for the existence of Zion. But a Strongman will not work. Remember the character of those whom God has called in times past when Zion was offered. In the case of Enoch, who established Zion, he described himself as “but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?” (Moses 6: 31.) I‟ve explained in the talk on Elijah Reconsidered that “slow of speech” does not mean some speaking impediment. It meant he would rather not talk, because he was more reflective and contemplative than vocal. Enoch was not a “Strongman” in the Gentile fashion, but was a man of meekness and mildness, rather more like our Savior than like the rulers of the Synagogue. ("Zion", Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. © 4-12-14 All Rights Reserved. Lecture 6 Grand Junction, Colorado, pg. 2)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible that Enoch was more interested in listening to and considering what others had to say than in voicing his own understanding of matters?</div><div><br /></div><div>If such was the case would that be a trait that made him weak or meek?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I honestly look at myself presently I have to declare that I presently have so much more in common with the rulers of the Synagogue than I have in common with Enoch.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is from a paper entitled "Other Sheep Indeed"</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Of all faiths, Mormonism has the greatest canonical incentive to search
for and embrace truth known to others. The “keystone” of Mormonism is the
Book of Mormon. That book alerts its readers that there are many others from
vastly different places with vastly different scriptures who are nonetheless
Christ’s sheep. Book of Mormon readers are expected to search for, welcome
and learn from them. In contrast, institutional Mormonism of all stripes
confine trustworthy new religious ideas to their authorized leaders.
Early in the text we learn that our faith, like our scriptures, is unfinished,
and to anticipate a flood of additional sacred texts to help remove our
ignorance. The portion of the Book of Mormon translated by Joseph Smith is
carefully censored, with its greater content withheld. 2 Nephi 29:11-12 states: For I command all men, both in the east and in
the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they
shall write the words which I speak unto them; … Obviously the Gods of
Mormonism view Their role as all-inclusive. The entire world and all mankind
belong to Them. Their global audience has received and recorded sacred words directly from the Gods’ “one” mouth. We have no way to define the
extent to which that has happened. Nor do we have any concept of the number
of sacred records that exist somewhere among unknown others, nor any idea
what truths they were given that we lack.
Mormonism cannot, or at least should not, consider itself the exclusive
possessor of THE sacred canon or that there is only one canon containing the
Gods’ teachings. There are words from heaven spread throughout our world by
the deliberate planting of the Gods.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Continuing, for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the
world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.
These “books” hold terrible importance for Mormons because we are going to
be judged by the Gods based on a comparison between our “works” and “that
which is written.” With such a warning we Mormons ought to be humble about
our claims to know more than other faiths. We should be modest in thinking
we are especially graced by the Gods’ words and should be anxious to scour the
globe to discover the sacred texts of other cultures. In humility, we should
invite them to share the truths they value most with us because we have shown
that we will respect what they regard as sacred. ("Other Sheep Indeed," Denver Snuffer, © 2017
Presented at the Salt Lake City Sunstone Symposium, pgs. 2 - 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I desire to be brought out of the darkness I am in presently, I would consider that responding to the above invitation would prove to be a great blessing for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>What Nephi is recording here concerns the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael; a reoccurring event.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Nephi inscribe these reoccurring events in order to demonstrate a principle to us?</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe that Nephi recorded these events to poo-poo his brothers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe that I am able to learn what I ought to learn from considering these events if my only reaction is "Boy, look at these lunkheads. What idiots."</div><div><br /></div><div>I have mentioned before that I believe that Laman and Lemuel, initially at Jerusalem, were "rationally" considering their father Lehi's message and actions; which message and actions ran totally counter to their life experience, culture, and traditions.</div><div><br /></div><div>They were living a life that was well off in Jerusalem, a very religious area of people who were strict to keep the law of Moses.</div><div><br /></div><div>They lived as part of a family that possessed bank accounts, real estate holdings, a prosperous business, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Their father, Lehi, went off the deep end. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, he began to testify that the very religious people of Jerusalem were wicked. According to their understanding of things, that was quite laughable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then he began to testify of a Messiah who would come. Such a witness really caused a stir in the community of Jerusalem. Their father's life was threatened because of that testimony.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then they were informed by their very controversial father that they were leaving everything and departing into the wilderness never to be able to enjoy their wealth and real estate. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to see how in today's society a diagnosis of mental illness would not be difficult to obtain for Lehi in order to commit Lehi to an institution so that Lehi's insane actions would not continue?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi also expressed, in the beginning, at the very least, reservations about what his father, Lehi, had been declaring. That is why Nephi inquired of the Lord to know concerning the words of his father, as I presently understand it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that by recording these reoccurring rebellions, Nephi is trying to get me to take a serious look at whatever I hold as "rational" concerning my traditions, culture, and life experience that would not allow me to move past my reservations and even healthy skepticism to ask of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that I am capable of following a path that will lead me to murderous rebellions against those who are declaring the words of God?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 181)</span><div><br /></div></div><div>If I remember correctly, their past rebellion involved them leaving Nephi tied up to die in the wilderness but it did not involve a plan to also murder their father, Lehi.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now they are actively involved in the consideration of murdering both Nephi and their father Lehi as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have written before in this blog about how it presently appears to me that we must be informed of the negative results of our disobedient actions towards God and not just apprised of potential blessings if we are obedient to God.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am wondering if that is one reason we benefit from repeatedly reading about Laman and Lemuel and the Sons of Ishmael's rebellions.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we are exposed to light from heaven does that put us in greater peril?</div><div><br /></div><div>Alma, or maybe Mormon as he was abridging the record, gave the following observation concerning the events when many of the people of Ammon were killed by their fellow Lamanites.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so many of their brethren were Amlicites and Amulonites, the greatest number of whom were after the order of the Nehors. Now among those who joined the people of the Lord, there were none who were Amlicites, or Amulonites, or who were after the order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and Lemuel. And thus we can plainly discern that after a people have been once enlightened by the spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened; and thus their state becomes worse than if they had never known these things. (Alma 24:26 - 30, NC Alma 14 par. 12)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Lord also, during His mortal sojourn, taught concerning this same reality.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then came some of the scribes and said unto him, Master, it is written that every sin shall be forgiven, but you say, Whoever speaks against the holy ghost shall not be forgiven. And they asked him, saying, How can these things be? And he said unto them, When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. But when a man speaks against the holy ghost, then he says, I will return into my house from which I came out. And when he has come, he finds him empty, swept, and garnished, for the good spirit leaves him unto himself. Then goes the evil spirit and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. And the last end of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43 - 45, NC Matthew 6 par 7)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>At one point at the beginning of Nephi's ministry to his brothers, Nephi makes the following observation concerning Laman and Lemuel.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness... (1 Nephi 16:1 - 6, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Also, we see a bit further on during the journey the following event happened with them as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives... (1 Nephi 16:26 - 32, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 8)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Do these events constitute being enlightened by the spirit of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that for a time they had a change of heart?</div><div><br /></div><div>If an individual is sent from God with an authorized message and that message is delivered to the intended hearers with fidelity does that also constitute being enlightened by the spirit of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be important for me to consider if these events constitute being enlightened by the spirit of God? </div><div><br /></div><div>Should I look inside and ask myself if I have ever been enlightened by the spirit of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this what Alma was inviting the folks who were part of the church in Zarahemla to consider when he declared the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say — if ye were called to die at this time — within yourselves that ye have been sufficiently humble, that your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not, ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold, ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared. And I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand; and he knoweth not when the time shall come, for such an one is not found guiltless. (Alma 5:26 - 29, NC Alma 3 par. 5)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Should I seriously consider these recurring events among Laman and Lemuel to be a cautionary tale recorded for my benefit to remind me of my personal obligation to live day by day according to the enlightenment I have or will receive by the spirit of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this recorded in Nephi's record precisely to inform me of the inescapable internal negative results of my personal disobedience to the gift of God's enlightenment to me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there any other examples that testify to this?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did the Prophet Joseph teach?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Messiah’s kingdom on earth is of that kind of government, that there has always been<br />numerous apostates, for the reason that it admits of no sins unrepented of without excluding the individual from its fellowship. Our Lord said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for<br />many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” And again, many are called, but<br />few are chosen. Paul said to the elders of the Church at Ephesus, after he had labored three years<br />with them, that he knew that some of their own number would turn away from the faith, and seek<br />to lead away disciples after them. None, we presume, in this generation will pretend that he has the<br />experience of Paul in building up the Church of Christ and yet, after his departure from the Church<br />at Ephesus, many, even of the elders turned away from the truth; and what is almost always the<br />case, sought to lead away disciples after them. Strange as it may appear at first thought, yet it is no<br />less strange than true, that notwithstanding all the professed determination to live godly, apostates<br />after turning from the faith of Christ, unless they have speedily repented, have sooner or later fallen<br />into the snares of the wicked one, and have been left destitute of the Spirit of God, to manifest<br />their wickedness in the eyes of multitudes. From apostates the faithful have received the severest<br />persecutions. Judas was rebuked and immediately betrayed his Lord into the hands of His<br />enemies, because Satan entered into him. There is a superior intelligence bestowed upon such as<br />obey the Gospel with full purpose of heart, which, if sinned against, the apostate is left naked and<br />destitute of the Spirit of God, and he is, in truth, nigh unto cursing, and his end is to be burned.<br />When once that light which was in them is taken from them, they become as much darkened as<br />they were previously enlightened, and then, no marvel, if all their power should be enlisted<br />against the truth, and they, Judas like, seek the destruction of those who were their greatest<br />benefactors. What nearer friend on earth, or in heaven, had Judas than the Savior? And his first<br />object was to destroy Him. Who, among all the Saints in these last days can consider himself as good<br />as our Lord? Who is as perfect? Who is as pure? Who is as holy as He was? Are they to be found?<br />He never transgressed or broke a commandment or law of heaven—no deceit was in His mouth,<br />neither was guile found in His heart. And yet one that ate with Him, who had often drunk of the<br />same cup, was the first to lift up his heel against Him. Where is one like Christ? He cannot be<br />found on earth. Then why should His followers complain, if from those whom they once called brethren, and considered as standing in the nearest relation in the everlasting covenant they should receive persecution? From what source emanated the principle which has ever been manifest by apostates from the true Church to persecute with double diligence, and seek with double perseverance, to destroy those whom they once professed to love, with whom they once communed, and with whom they once covenanted to strive with every power in righteousness to obtain the rest of God? Perhaps our brethren will say the same that caused Satan to seek to overthrow the kingdom of God, because he himself was evil, and God’s kingdom is holy. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 66 - 68)</span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Was the above teaching of the Prophet Joseph what he experienced during his life in his associations with others? </div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When a man begins to be an enemy to this work, he hunts me, he seeks to kill me, and never<br />ceases to thirst for my blood. He gets the spirit of the devil—the same spirit that they had who<br />crucified the Lord of Life—the same spirit that sins against the Holy Ghost. You cannot save such<br />persons; you cannot bring them to repentance; they make open war, like the devil, and awful is<br />the consequence. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 358)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Wasn't it by a conspiracy of those who were once close associates with the Prophet Joseph that both he and Hyrum, his brother, were delivered up to be murdered?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should it be very sobering to me that in all of the above examples it was a spirit of murder that ended up filling those who had once been enlightened by the spirit of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>How serious a matter is this?</div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now, this may sound like a curious matter, where God has access to mankind, and Satan also has access to mankind. And the narrative reads as if Adam and Eve and their descendants stand in the presence of and have access to God and angels openly and Satan openly, and Satan appears and says, “Don’t believe it,” and he preaches (in their disbelief) things that will make them gratified, carnal, sensual, and devilish. <br />Well, there was a different order of things long ago and far away, in which the veil that exists predominantly now was easily traversed. It is for the protection of mankind that a veil was installed, so that apparently powerful, spiritual, great beings who are malevolent and evil and corrupting and who urge you to carnality and sensuality, and devilishness don’t get access to you—because there has to be an equal opposition in all things. If your mind ascends to the highest heights (as Joseph put it in his letter from Liberty Jail), your mind also must descend into the darkest abyss—because you cannot ascend without exposing yourself to a larger spectrum of opposition, so that you are left in the balance to choose. ("Righteousness" Salem, Utah, November 20, 2022, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pgs. 6 - 7) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible from all the above that this is one reason the Lord declared the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:57 - 62, NC Luke 8 par. 2)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I begin to move forward on the path in search of light is it critical that I do not go back?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I be earnest and true in my effort to receive and follow the words of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Nephi following the pattern of recording, for our view, the negative results of disobedience in order that we may benefit and learn from the experiences of others?</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-21462715025156625682022-09-03T17:49:00.001-07:002022-09-03T22:26:03.224-07:00Could it Be? Is it Possible?<p>A recent statement comes to mind concerning the present Restoration with respect to the covenant.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Only we can keep the covenant. Only those who keep the covenant together can establish a new civilization with God’s holy House at its center. ("Civilization," General Conference Address Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Grand Junction, CO 21 April 2019, pg. 32)</span><p>As well as this following statement.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">We’re not going to arrive where we need to arrive if we perceive ourselves as unequal, if we think of ourselves as greater and lesser, if we don’t think of ourselves as simply common servants, inadequate as we may be, to a Lord who loved and sacrificed Himself for our redemption. He is worthy. We can do our best and we can make a lot of mistakes along the way. Joseph did his best and it just didn’t work out. But what would have happened if the people, in July of 1840 when no commandment had yet been given, rose up and with alacrity decided that they were going to labor for the accomplishment of the task that Joseph was telling them was coming? What would have happened had the money raised and donated for the temple not been diverted by the temple committee to their own purposes? What would have happened if the lumber sent down from the Wisconsin mission been used for the construction of the temple rather than being diverted for the homes of the leading citizens? What would have happened if instead of God requiring yanking on the reins to pull the bit in the mouth of the horse of the restoration, what would have happened if all that was needed was for the reins to be lightly put on the neck of the horse of the restoration, to guide it where it needed to go? Horses are so sensitive that when a fly lands on their skin they can twitch to remove it. The people of the restoration are nowhere near as sensitive to what God would have them do, then or now, as is a horse. (Remembering the Covenants Regional Conference Address, Denver Snuffer Centerville, Utah 4 August 2018, pg. 6)</span><p>In my opinion, events in the Restoration are occurring in a remarkable way.</p><p>I have expressed in this blog multiple times that I now believe that I understand why the Lord used the description, "strange act" to describe His work underway right now.</p><p>Never in a million years would I have imagined that He would perform his miraculous work in the manner in which it is unfolding.</p><p>The above statements came to my mind as a result of an announcement concerning the translation of the Book of Mormon into Hebrew.</p><p>Below is one of the questions that was and is asked to all who accept a new covenant God has extended.</p><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Second: Do you have faith in these things and receive the scriptures approved by the Lord as a standard to govern you in your daily walk in life, to accept the obligations established by the Book of Mormon as a covenant, and to use the scriptures to correct yourselves and to guide your words, thoughts, and deeds? (T&C 158 par. 3)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do "we" have an obligation established by the Book of Mormon to take the Book of Mormon to the Jews?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon was written for three groups. Three targeted audiences are identified right at the outset: the Lamanites, the Jews, and the gentiles. That’s who the Book of Mormon was sent to. In the Teachings and Commandments, section 158, there is a covenant offered to the gentiles, to the remnant of the Lamanites, and to the remnant of the Jews. These are the words of that covenant. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Do you have faith in these things and receive the scriptures approved by the Lord as a standard to govern in your daily walk in life, to accept the obligations established by the Book of Mormon as a covenant, and to use the scriptures to correct yourselves and to guide your words, thoughts and deeds? (vs 3) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It also goes on to say: But if you do not honor me, nor seek to recover my people Israel... then you have no promise (vs 19). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The people that the Book of Mormon established as the target audience are the Lamanites, the Jews, and the gentiles. We have an obligation to try and reach out to the Lamanites, the Jews, and the gentiles. (Book of Mormon as a Covenant
Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.
Columbia, South Carolina
13 January 2019, pg. 4)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible that the Lord has recently prepared a way that "we" can work together as inadequate fellow servants to translate the Book of Mormon into Hebrew, therefore fulfilling that obligation the Book of Mormon has imposed upon us?</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a web page that was announced for the Hebrew translation effort; <a href="https://www.hebrewbookofmormon.com/">https://www.hebrewbookofmormon.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The following is from that page.</div><div><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Funding the Work<br /><br />The only paid participants in the project are the actual scholar-translators. All other participants volunteer their time and efforts. All donated funds go 100% to pay for actual translation work.<br /><br />When the translation is complete, paid professional typesetting and publishing will be required.<br /><br />The project has cost over $250,000 so far, and it is anticipated another $150,000 will be required to bring the editing work to completion, plus $50,000 for typesetting and publishing.<br /><br />The completed books will be distributed in Israel and made available to Jews worldwide at the cost of printing. The text will also be published free of charge online in an interactive Hebrew/English study site, which has already been built by volunteers.<br /><br />Once the book is published, efforts will be undertaken to publicize and distribute the book in the US, Europe, and Israel.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Could it be that the Lord is lightly putting the reigns on the neck of the horse of the Restoration by bringing this announcement forward in order to provide all covenant holders who feel to do so an opportunity to assist so that this obligation is completed by "we" as equally inadequate fellow servants?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see in the past attempt of restoration in the Prophet Joseph's day any examples of the Lord trying to work in such a way by lightly putting the reigns on the neck of the horse of the Restoration?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the minutes of an October 1831 conference, Joseph made this statement, “God had often sealed up the Heavens because of covetousness in the church. Said the Lord would cut his work short in righteousness and except the church receive the fullness of the scriptures they would yet fall.”1 After that warning on July 17, 1840, two men were assigned to go on a mission for the purpose of raising money to publish scriptures. This included a new edition of the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. (It is called a “translation” but is more correctly understood as the prophet’s inspired revision clarifying the text.) In October 1840, a letter to all the saints was published in the Times and Seasons asking for their full support in the effort to publish “the new translation of the Scriptures.” That effort failed to put the Joseph Smith Translation in print, and Joseph died without it ever being published. ( "Fullness of the Scriptures," Glossary of Gospel Terms, Teachings and Commandments) </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did they "yet fall" because of their failure to respond?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we learn from their failure to respond to the Lord's guiding of the reigns?</div><div><br /></div><div>If someone desires to contribute but wonders if their contribution is too "small" to be considered an equal contribution would it be well to remember what the Savior declared concerning the widow's offering?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And after this, Jesus sat opposite the treasury and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And Jesus called his disciples and said unto them, Truly I say unto you that this poor widow has cast more in than all they who have cast into the treasury; for all the rich did cast in of their abundance, but she — notwithstanding her lack — did cast in all that she had; yea, even all her possessions. (Mark 12:41 - 44, NC Mark 5 par. 48)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Would it also be good to consider King Benjamin's words as we as equal fellow servants consider contributing?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order, for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize. Therefore, all things must be done in order... (Mosiah 4:26 - 30, NC Mosiah 2 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Especially in today's circumstances, is it possible that there are those who, as equal fellow servants, have obligations that do not permit them to donate even though they desire to do so?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is God able to determine the thoughts and intents of every heart?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is God able to answer earnest prayers of faith?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are earnest prayers of faith required as well as donations for this project to succeed?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be that the Lord has prepared this opportunity for us to be able to respond as equal fellow servants with alacrity as "we" a body of people, by supporting this effort to fulfill the obligation imposed upon us to take the Book of Mormon to the Jews, with our prayers and, for those who are able, our added donations?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-88574117332513902612022-07-31T12:24:00.002-07:002022-07-31T12:24:42.130-07:00By Small Means the Lord can Bring About Great Things<p>1 Nephi 16:26 - 32, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 8</p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball. And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families. And it came to pass that I did return to our tents bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord and did give thanks unto him.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Judah in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 par. 8</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of yhwh said unto him, Look upon the ball and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brothers, and the sons of Yishma’el, and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of yhwh; and it was written and changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means yhwh can bring about great <br />things. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball. And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch <br />that I did obtain food for our families. And it came to pass that I did return to our tents bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! <br />And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before yhwh and did give thanks unto him.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi comments as follows on his coming to an understanding of how the Lord caused the Liahona to work.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Was it a small thing to change the writing on the Liahona?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would such an action be considered by Nephi to be a small thing?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would recommend an article written by Hugh Nibley in 1961 setting forth the workings of the Liahona for Lehi's group in relation to the common custom of divination of the times.</div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Liahona's Cousins Author(s): Hugh Nibley Source: Improvement Era, Vol. 64, No. 2 (February 1961), pp. 87–89, 104–111</span></div><div><br /></div><div>It's too long an essay to include here in this post but upon reading Nibley's research it is possible to see how such an item as the Liahona and its manner of operation was considered a "small thing."</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is an excerpt from the essay. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Both Nephi and Alma go out of their way to insist that the Liahona did not work itself, i.e., was not a magic thing, but worked only by the power of God and only for appointed persons who had faith in that power. Moreover, while both men marvel at the wonderful workmanship of the brass ball in which the pointers were mounted, they refer to the operation of those pointers as “a very small thing,” so familiar to Lehi’s people that they hardly give it a second glance. So contemptuous were they of the “small means” by which “those miracles were worked” for their guidance and preservation that they constantly “forgot to exercise their faith” so that the compass would work. This suggests that aside from the workmanship of the mounting, there was nothing particularly strange or mystifying about the apparatus which Alma specifies as a “temporal” thing.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Here we have an instructive parallel in the ship and the bow that Nephi made. Without divine intervention those indispensable aids to survival would never have come to the rescue of Lehi’s company—their possession was a miracle. Yet what were they after all? An ordinary ship and an ordinary bow. Just so, the Liahona was “a very small thing” for all its marvelous provenience, having much the same relationship to other directing arrows that the ship and the bow did to other ships and bows. We must not forget that the ancients looked upon even ordinary azlam as a means of communication with the divine: “In view of the importance of religious sentiment in every aspect of the</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">activity of the Arab and of the Semite in general,” writes Fahd, “I do not believe that one can separate </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">these practices (i.e., of arrow-divination ) from their character as a consultation of divinity . . . they always believed, however vaguely, in a direct and constant intervention in human affairs. (pg. 108)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that this "small means" not only guided Lehi's company but also proved them and taught them as well?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did this small means in any way violate the agency of Lehi's company during their migration?</div><div><br /></div><div>What would have happened to Lehi's company if they had further rebelled at Shazer instead of humbling themselves?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would they have been left to their own devices and perished in spite of their possession of the Liahona?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there a pattern here that I can use, along with the other patterns picked up along the way, to detect when and if the Lord is performing a work?</div><div><br /></div><div>The great work of the migration of Lehi's company was completed using this ordinary and small means.</div><div><br /></div><div>What other great works has the Lord accomplished by using the smallest of means?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Enoch?</div><div><br /></div><div>We have discussed Enoch before and his reticence at being made a servant of the Lord because he felt that he was inadequate for such a work.</div><div><br /></div><div>What work was accomplished through the preaching of this small individual?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it a great thing for a people to repent and be gathered together into a community of righteousness that has to be taken into heaven, so as not to be destroyed by the impending global flood, because the entire community has become the dwelling place of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the people who eventually were gathered to the community of Zion proven by their response to the words Enoch was given to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the people who were eventually gathered to the community of Zion taught by the words given to Enoch to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the people who were eventually gathered to the community of Zion guided by the words given to Enoch to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was their agency preserved?</div><div><br /></div><div>If they did not respond to the words of Enoch were they simply left to their own devices to live without divine direction in spite of having possession of Enoch's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>How common and ordinary and small a matter is it to have someone mortal declare a message?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the deliverance of Israel at the time of Gideon from the Midianites?</div><div><br /></div><div>How small and common and ordinary a thing is it for three hundred men to break their pitchers to expose lighted lamps, blow on their trumpets, and call out "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon" in the dark around a camp of innumerable enemies?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the great thing of delivering Israel out of the hand of the Midianites accomplished but just such small means?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the children of Israel proven by this "small means" of deliverance?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were they guided and taught by this "small means" of deliverance?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was agency preserved for all?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could they have disregarded the Lord's direction thereby ignoring His "small means" of deliverance?</div><div><br /></div><div>If they had chosen to ignore it would they simply have been left to their own devices to fight the Midianites in spite of possessing the divine guidance of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the mission of the Lord when He came and dwelt here in mortality with us?</div><div><br /></div><div>How small a thing in the world's eyes is an itinerate preacher, who's occupation is that of a carpenter, from Galilee?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is His smallness in the eyes of the world reflected in the question of one of His faithful disciples, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">Can there any good thing come out from Nazareth?</span>"</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Isaiah also recognize His smallness in the eyes of the world when he declared,</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men — a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from him. He was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted... (Isaiah 53:1 - 10, OC Isaiah 19 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Was the Savior so small and ordinary as far as those in His mortal sphere of influence were concerned, except for a very small company of individuals?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the world at large even take notice of Him while He was in mortality?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was an infinitely "great thing" accomplished through this small and ordinary (according to the world) means; the person of Jesus Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were all who were around Him and even us now proven and being proven by His "small" ministry and atonement?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could we ask the very same thing about being taught and guided by His "small means" in His mortal ministry?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is everyone's agency preserved with this "small means"?</div><div><br /></div><div>If we are not interested in this "small means" are we simply left to our own devices to continue on without divine guidance in spite of possessing the witnesses of His mission?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible or probable that we will perish if we choose to disregard this "small means"?</div><div><br /></div><div>How small a means is it for the Lord to begin a work to fulfill His covenants with the early Fathers on earth through a 14 year old farm boy in upstate New York?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do all of the same elements of the "small means" pattern exist with the Prophet Joseph?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Lord is consistent, and I believe He is, then would I be benefitted by looking to see where this pattern exists today?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this pattern exist in any of the powerful, popular, and wealthy institutions and churches today?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that one reason Nephi was able to authoritatively declare the following concerning our day?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yea, they have all gone out of the way, they have become corrupted; because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride, they are puffed up. They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing, and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart because in their pride they are puffed up. They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ. Nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men. (2 Nephi 28:11 - 14, NC 2 Nephi 12 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Does Nephi's phrase, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ </span>" fit the pattern of something being a "small means" that the Lord can work with to bring about "great things"?</div><div><br /></div><div>As for every church, Nephi declares that they have ALL gone astray and they are ALL corrupt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi does not name any exceptions to this.</div><div><br /></div><div>How ordinary and small was John the Baptist in the eyes of the Jewish leaders?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did the reveal to the Prophet Joseph concerning the mission or "great thing" John was sent to accomplish?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels, and the preparatory gospel, which gospel is the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel, until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the holy ghost from his mother’s womb. For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power: to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power. (D&C 84:25 - 28, T&C 82 par. 14)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>And the Prophet further expounded concerning John as follows.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law; and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it. The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born of a woman. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 276)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>If I understand correctly what the Prophet Joseph taught, the great thing John was sent to accomplish was to free up the Lord's hands to begin something new.</div><div><br /></div><div>By rejecting John's message, the Jewish leaders (the heads of the Jewish kingdom) cut themselves off, allowing the Lord to change directions from what had been established with Moses and fulfilling what had been set forth in the law of Moses.</div><div><br /></div><div>How ordinary and small a means was it for the Lord to send a mortal with an authorized message to the Jews?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the Jews proven by the words given to John to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the Jews given the opportunity to be taught and guided by the words given to John to speak?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the agency of everyone involved kept in tact?</div><div><br /></div><div>By there rejection were the Jewish leaders left to there own devices to wander about and perish in spite of possessing the law of Moses which pointed to Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the Jewish leaders know that a "great thing" had come to pass?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could this same pattern happen again?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that it has?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">God's house is a house of order, but that does not mean what you think it means. God follows patterns. He establishes and ordains things according to one pattern, and then He takes them down again according to another pattern, and He does not vary. There is no guarantee, when He establishes a house in one instance, that that house cannot rebel, reject Him, and be rejected by Him at another. Just because God undertakes one work does not mean that He cannot undertake yet another. Just because He ordains one system at one time it does not mean that, when that system becomes abusive, He will not deal with the system He ordained according to its own standards in order to bring about the result He warned about. He follows a pattern and therein is the house of order.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />When Christ came the first time, God took down a previously established hierarchy using an orderly<br />process, informing us about His house of order. He ordained John to bring it to an end, which put him on a collision course with the hierarchy. John the Baptist was “ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord…” Joseph Smith elaborated, “The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven.”</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />For His return, we should expect something similar to His first coming. That is, an orderly take down of a competing hierarchy using someone ordained to accomplish that end that is put by God on a collision<br />course with the targeted power structure. John’s mission required them to reject the truth and testimony<br />he offered. It was orderly, public and required a conflict followed by rejection. In any modern take<br />down of the LDS hierarchy the Lord will allow those involved to act freely. The hierarchy must<br />voluntarily and clearly violate God’s standard. It must be orderly, public and the result of a conflict<br />ordained by God’s will. This is how a house of order operates anciently and again today. (<u>Forty Years In Mormonism</u>, "#10 - Preserving the Restoration," Denver Snuffer, 9/Sept/2014, pgs. 313 - 314)</span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Continuing...</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Joseph Smith cautioned the saints about violating God’s trust. As Joseph put it: “His word will go forth,<br />in these last days, in purity; for if Zion will not purify herself, so as to be approved in all things, in His<br />sight, He will seek another people; for His work will go on until Israel is gathered, and they who will not hear His voice, must expect to feel His wrath.” We should expect God’s house to be ordered around<br />only one principle: repentance. When the pride of a great organization replaces repentance, the heavens<br />withdraw, and when they do, “Amen” to that portion of God’s house. But the restoration through Joseph<br />will always remain, even if God chooses to order it differently before His return. It is His to do with as He determines best.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />At the time I was excommunicated, I was in good standing with the Lord. I had nothing amiss in my personal life. There was no sin warranting church discipline. As a former member of the High Council for years, every church disciplinary proceeding I attended that resulted in excommunication, always involved serious moral transgression, betrayal of marriage covenants, and in some cases criminal wrongdoing. In contrast, the reason for my discipline was a book I had written about church history, in which I attempted to align the events of the Restoration to the prophecies of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. The stake president admitted to me and my wife before the Council began, that I was then worthy of a temple recommend. By any standard of moral conduct, I was an innocent man, whose only offense was believing the scriptures revealed our condition before God. On the evening of May 1, 2014, the Lord gave me further light and knowledge about His work in His vineyard. The Lord is in control over the church, men, and all things. When He undertakes to accomplish something, “there is nothing that the Lord God shall take in His heart to do, but what He will do it.” (Abr. 3:17.) Often the means used by the Lord to accomplish His “strange act,” and to perform His “strange work”(D&C 101: 95), are very small indeed. "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." (Alma 37: 6-7.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is almost always the case that the Lord uses simple things to confound the mighty. I can think of nothing smaller or simpler or less important than myself. Inside the great church to which I once belonged, I was obscure. However, I lived my religion, attended faithfully, served to the best of my ability, upheld church leaders with my prayers, paid tithes, fasted, observed the Word of Wisdom, and helped answer questions for those needing assistance with troubling issues. There was no reason to regard me as a rebel who should be singled out for discipline. Nevertheless, the Lord chose to use a faithful and believing member to accomplish His design. Only someone who is devoted to His will could accomplish what the Lord had in His heart. Now He has accomplished it.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The Church has Doctrine and Covenants 121, verses 36 to 40, to warn it about abusing His authority. There is an "amen" or end to authority when control, compulsion, and dominion are exercised in any degree of unrighteousness. Therefore, when using authority, great care must be taken. In any case, the church was careless. Therefore, those involved, are now left to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints and to fight against God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Section 121 is a warning to church leaders. It is addressing the powerful, not the powerless. It is addressing those who occupy the seats of authority over others. Only those who claim the right to control, compel, and exercise dominion, are warned against persecuting the saints, who believe the religion and practice it as I did from the time of my conversion. My excommunication was an abuse of authority. Therefore, as soon as the decision was made, the Lord terminated the priesthood authority of the stake presidency and every member of the High Council who sustained this decision, which was unanimous. Thereafter, I appealed to the First Presidency, outlining the involvement of the 12 and the 70. The appeal gave notice to them all.20 The appeal was summarily denied.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Last general conference, the entire First Presidency, the 12, the 70, and all other general authorities and auxiliaries, voted to sustain those who abused their authority in casting me out of the church. At that moment, the Lord ended all claims of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to claim it is led by the priesthood. They have not practiced what He requires. The Lord has brought about His purposes. This has been in His heart all along. He has chosen to use small means to accomplish it, but He always<br />uses the smallest of means to fulfill His purposes. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />None of this was my doing. The Lord's strange act, was not, could not, be planned by me. Was not, could not, have been controlled by me. It was not anticipated by me, or even understood by me, until after the Lord had accomplished His will, and made it apparent to me on the evening of May 1, 2014. He alone has done this. He is the author of all of this.(<u>Forty Years In Mormonism</u>, "#10 - Preserving the Restoration," Denver Snuffer, 9/Sept/2014, pgs. 314 - 316) </span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to see the pattern revealed here in this event?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Lord is going about doing a work to vindicate His promises to the early Fathers (a "great thing"), which I believe He is doing right now, then wouldn't we expect that whatever is being accomplished follows this exact pattern of being "small" in the eyes of the world?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did Nephi see in his vision?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters, and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters. Nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth. And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. (1 Nephi 14:11 - 14, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 28)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Nephi even declares that the dominions of the church of the Lamb are "small" upon the entire earth in the last days.</div><div><br /></div><div>According to Nephi, does the Lord perform a "great thing" using His church that possesses only "small" dominions upon the earth?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A new Restoration is begun preliminary to winding up God’s great work. God is very active at present. Being chosen to do God’s work does not make us godly, virtuous or better than others. Every individual must be godly and practice virtue, and even then we are no better than any other people. The difference consists in God’s willingness to direct us forward as He completes the promises and covenants He made to the fathers. It is God’s presence, not our worthiness, which distinguishes us.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <br />In the last few weeks a great alarm has been raised about a viral pandemic. It illustrates something about all nations and institutions: Although they may seem durable, they are all vulnerable and easily destroyed by very simple means. Like locusts destroying crops of Egypt in the story of Exodus, great societies are shaken through the smallest of means. We know there will come “an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land” for the Lord has told us beforehand, so that when it comes we will not be overtaken. This current unrest illustrates what will happen one day soon. Being forewarned gives us the opportunity to prepare. ("The Heavens Are Open (And Therefore We Have Work To Do)," Denver Snuffer, 22/March/2020, pg. 1)</span><div><br /></div><div>As before, I testify, because of my living experience, that the Lord is going about at present using the smallest of means to complete His restoration in order to vindicate His promises to the early Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>If those who constitute this group, which is the smallest of means, use their agency to prove themselves faithful and are taught and guided by the words that the Lord is sending, they will be the means the Lord uses to complete His work now underway.</div><div><br /></div><div>This group (I am one of this group), just like Lehi's company, at any time can choose to rebel against the small means (words) the Lord is sending and they will find themselves left to their own devices to wander about and to perish in spite of being in possession of the Lord's words.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe what Nephi is presenting here to be a true pattern. I give thanks that it is recorded for me to learn wisdom.</div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-90435430248383644032022-07-24T11:17:00.001-07:002022-07-24T11:17:37.104-07:00Chastened Because of His Murmurings Against the Lord<p> 1 Nephi 16:18 - 25, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 7</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families. And being much fatigued because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food. And it came to pass that Laman, and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceeding sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord. Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceeding difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father, Whither shall I go to obtain food? And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul. And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father, and he was truly chastened because of his murmurings against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.</span></p><p><br /></p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 par. 7<div><br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that as I, Nefi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brothers were angry with me because of <br />the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families. And being much fatigued because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the <br />want of food. And it came to pass that Laman, and L’mu’el, and the sons of Yishma’el did begin to murmur exceedingly because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my <br />father began to murmur against yhwh his Elohim; yes, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against yhwh. Now it came to pass that I, Nefi, having been afflicted with my <br />brothers because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yes, insomuch that we could obtain no food. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did speak much unto my brothers because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against yhwh their Elohim. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father, Where shall I go to obtain food? And it came to pass that he did inquire of yhwh, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul. And it came to pass that the voice of yhwh came unto my father, and he was truly chastened because of his murmurings against yhwh, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.</span> <div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Prophet Joseph declared the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Why will not man learn wisdom by precept at this late age of the world, when we have such a cloud<br />of witnesses and examples before us, and not be obliged to learn by sad experience everything<br />we know. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 155)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Can I expect that I will be faced with a "Shazer" event at least once in my life, even if I happen to be involved in a divine work?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be wise for me to consider very carefully what is happening in the record of the Book of Mormon here in order to learn what I might do to pass through my "Shazer" event(s)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the above recorded event fall in the category that the Prophet Joseph described as being a witness and an example that has the potential of imparting wisdom to us?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding of the above situation is that this is one of the events that occurred to Lehi and his company due to ignoring the Liahona.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression. (Alma 37:38 - 432, NC Alma 17 par. 15)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I don't point this out to belittle or condemn Lehi and his company.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must ask myself several questions as I consider the words of Alma applied to this "Shazer" event among Lehi's company here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I so lived and been sufficiently diligent and meek in following the words of the Lord that He has found me fit to enter back into His presence?</div><div><br /></div><div>Lehi had received such things.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I been invited to be a part of an "exodus" so to speak that has been divinely commissioned by the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>In this Lehi and I might have something in common. (more on this later in the post)</div><div><br /></div><div>Alma spoke immediately following his statement concerning Lehi's company and the Liahona that it was a type for the rest of us and that for us the Liahona represented the words of Christ. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have I been diligent to give heed to the words of Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I live in a mortal world where I am left to experience all of the weakness of the flesh; hunger, thirst, and fatigue?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I react when presented with a "Shazer" event?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is it about "murmuring" that is so wrong?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for me to look at scriptural examples of "murmuring" to be able to get a better idea of what "murmuring" is and why I ought to avoid it?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is the account of the response of the camp of Israel following the Lord destroying Korash and his family and all who were not authorized to offer incense before the Lord but did so anyway in defiance of the Lord's command.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But on the next day, all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, You have killed the people of the Lord. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation, and behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Get yourself up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation and make an atonement for them; for there is wrath gone out from the Lord. The plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the congregation, and behold, the plague was begun among the people. And he put on incense and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the plague was stopped. (Numbers 16:41 - 50, OC Numbers 9 par. 10)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there an element of accusation exposed in this event of "murmuring"?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about this event?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim; and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore, the people did chide with Moses and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why do you chide with me? Why do you test the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water, and the people murmured against Moses and said, Why is this that you have brought us up out of Egypt to kill us, and our children, and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? They are almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with you of the elders of Israel; and your rod with which you smote the river, take in your hand and go. Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb, and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel and because they tested the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us or not? (Exodus 17:1 - 7, OC Exodus 10 par. 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there also an element of accusation in this murmuring event as well?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is an event in the mortal life of the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then drew near unto him many of the publicans and sinners in order to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. And he spoke this parable unto them, saying, What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine and go into the wilderness after that which is lost until he find it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you that likewise, joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety-nine just people who need no repentance. (Luke 15:1 - 7, NC Luke 9 par. 11)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there an element of judgement in the scribes and Pharisees actions of "murmuring"</div><div><br /></div><div>The following event occurred just after the Lord declared to His disciples that He was the bread of life and that they must eat of His flesh in order to be saved. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What, and if you shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. (For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him.) And he said, Therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except he does the will of my Father who has sent me. (John 6:60 - 65, NC John 5 par. 18)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there also an element of judgement in the murmuring that took place at this time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that their murmuring included a judgment such as "this man is crazy insane"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Following Lehi's death this is what Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my God because of the anger of my brethren. But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. Yea, they did murmur against me, saying, Our younger brother thinks to rule over us, and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler, for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people. Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me, but it sufficeth me to say that they did seek to take away my life. (2 Nephi 5:1 - 4, NC 2 Nephi 4 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to detect an accusation in this murmuring?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make bellows, wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts. And after I had made bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire. For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. Yea, and the Lord said also that after ye have arrived to the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God, and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction, yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying, Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters. And thus my brethren did complain against me and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship, neither would they believe that I were instructed of the Lord. (1 Nephi 17:11 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 16)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, is it possible to detect an element of judgement in the murmuring that Laman and Lemuel did against Nephi here; judging him to be crazy insane?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about more modern events?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is the Lord's admonition to Oliver Cowdery following the time Oliver tried to translate but could not do so.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Be patient my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time. Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph, and behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you. Do not murmur my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner. (D&C 9:3 - 6, T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 13 par. 25)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is the Lord admonishing Oliver not to accuse Him, the Lord, of dealing falsely; the key action being not to accuse the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the following that is very very recent and really applies to me?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Do not murmur, saying, Too much has been required at our hands in too short a time. If your hearts were right, it was a light thing I have asked. You hinder and delay and then you say I require too much of you and do not allow you time, when, if your hearts were right and you prepared yourselves, you could have finished this work long ago. Do you indeed desire to be my people? Then accept and do as I have required. (T&C 157 par. 56)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The above are the words of the Lord concerning a labor He required of us now to create and adopt a guide and standard.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I am to seriously consider these words of the Lord don't I have to conclude that for me to say that the Lord has required too much in too short of a time I am actually accusing the Lord of acting falsely with me?</div><div><br /></div><div>These words from the Lord are also very recent.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I ordained this work and labored beside you. No man should condemn these words, or see the weakness of my laborers when I judge their hearts. All their weakness, foolishness and vanity are before me, and none of it is hidden to me. To vindicate the promises I made to the fathers, I will bear patiently with all of you for my name’s sake. If I accept their work despite their weaknesses, that I may fulfill my promises to gather my people under my wings, then stop murmuring and complaining against those who labor. If you expect mercy, then show mercy to others. I, your Lord, am pleased with all those who are grateful and merciful and who will have me be their God. I am meek and lowly of heart. (T&C 177 par. 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The above words from the Lord are concerning the scriptures project that was undertaken and completed to the Lord's present satisfaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to detect that if I judge those who worked on the project as weak and accuse them for their weakness that those elements are part of my murmuring?</div><div><br /></div><div>There are many many more scriptural examples of "murmuring" but I believe that the above examples are more than sufficient to demonstrate that murmuring includes judging and accusing.</div><div><br /></div><div>What has the Lord declared about both judging and accusing others?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he turned again to the multitude and did open his mouth unto them again, saying, Verily, verily I say unto you, judge not, that ye be not judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye, and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again, and rend you. (3 Nephi 14:1 - 6, NC 3 Nephi 6 pars. 5 - 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Should I consider how seriously wrong a matter it is in the eyes of God for me, a person with a beam in my own eye, to judge the motes in my brothers' eyes?</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I capable of knowing the heartache, life experiences, trials, challenges, point of view, or intentions of anyone else?</div><div><br /></div><div>I am persuaded by hard painful life experience that requires my sincere repentance that the phrase in the hymn "Lord I Would Follow Thee" is absolutely correct "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see".</div><div><br /></div><div>I agree with the following counsel concerning judgement.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Here's what the Lord says about judgment, flaws, criticism, ascribing motive, offense, and intent—and it's time we start taking Him seriously. So, He moves on from the Ten Commandments to the Sermon on the Mount.<br />In Matthew 3:40, He says: <br />Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people: Judge not unrighteously, that you be not judged, but judge righteous judgment; for with what judgment you [shall] judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 3:40 RE) <br />The difference it here that I see between the no judging and the righteous judgment is likely related to Final Judgment, as opposed to all those in-between judgments that we can do if we think we have the Lord on our side, in terms of righteous judgment. <br />And then moving from Matthew into Third Nephi—Third Nephi chapter six, verse six: <br />And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull that [the] mote out of thine eye, and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam [out] of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again, and rend you. (3 Nephi 6:6 RE) <br />And so I say to that: What the heck does that have to do with anything? So, on the assumption that it is actually related to what came before that, I spent a reasonable amount of time contemplating it, and this is my version of pearls and swine and dogs and whatever. It's a strange ending to this particular thought; so, what if it means that we are the dogs and swine, and judging is a holy and precious act—one that we don't have anywhere near the godliness to engage in, at least without seriously pursuing God's help—and we will get out of the attempt (and all we will get out of the attempt) at that kind of judging is trampling and rending. So, that's my take; and so, let's not do it. Okay? <br />Let’s just not do it. <br />In the foregoing scriptures, we are being told to worry about ourselves first (and that should take a long, long, long time). And then, if we need to, we can worry about other people after that. So, in theory, if we're as critical towards ourselves as we are others, we should be doing a lot of repenting, improving, growing in love and charity and empathy—as we make ourselves better; because it's just about beams and motes, people. That's it—just don't do it. ("Love Others as Yourself", Stephanie Snuffer, 14/July/2019, pgs. 8 - 9)</span><div><br /></div><div>What about accusing or being an accuser?</div><div><br /></div><div>What has the Lord revealed on this matter?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In your language you use the name Lucifer for an angel who was in authority before God, who rebelled, fought against the work of the Father and was cast down to the earth. His name means holder of light, or light bearer, for he had gathered light by his heed and diligence before he rebelled. He has become a vessel containing only wrath and seeks to destroy all who will hearken to him. He is now enslaved to his own hatred.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Satan is a title and means accuser, opponent, and adversary; hence, once he fell, Lucifer became, or in other words was called, Satan, because he accuses others and opposes the Father. I rebuked Peter and called him Satan because he was wrong in opposing the Father’s will for me, and Peter understood and repented.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the work you have performed there are those who have been Satan, accusing one another, wounding hearts, and causing jarring, contention, and strife by their accusations. Rather than loving one another, even among you who desire a good thing, some have dealt unkindly as if they were the opponents, accusers, and adversaries. In this they were wrong. (T&C 157 pars. 7 - 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Prophet Joseph declared something critical concerning not accusing one another.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I charged the Saints not to follow the example of the adversary in accusing the brethren,9 and</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">said, “If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">of sins. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 193)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand both what the Lord has revealed and the words of the Prophet Joseph, if I accuse anyone I am being a Satan.</div><div><br /></div><div>The scriptures declare that Satan is the accuser of the brethren.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now has come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night; for they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O Heavens, and you that dwell in them. (Revelation 12:10 - 12, NC Revelation 4 par. 4)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The scriptures do not declare that Satan's accusations were wrong or in other words that his accusations were not warranted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I ever free from sin?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who must cover me with His sacrifice in order to make me clean?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be said that the Lord's role to intercede for repentant sinners is the polar opposite of the role of Satan to accuse the sinner?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would Satan be correct if he accused me of sin?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I would be the opposite of Satan then shouldn't I seek to intercede for others?</div><div><br /></div><div>How serious a matter in the eyes of God is it for me to act in a role that is contrary to the Lord's role even if my accusation is correct?</div><div><br /></div><div>As serious as these two elements of murmuring are in the eyes of God, is it not apparent why God would chasten anyone who is guilty of such an act?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the statements and thoughts of Lehi's camp were accusatory and judgmental of what the Lord had commanded them to do?</div><div><br /></div><div>How serious a matter is it for someone who is involved in a divine event, such as fleeing a corrupt and soon to be destroyed civilization through divine invitation and intervention, to accuse and judge the Lord for what is transpiring during the event?</div><div><br /></div><div>I posed the question above in a way to reflect not just Lehi's journey but the fact that I have given witness that the Lord has invited all who will, with a divine invitation and through divine intervention, to flee now from a corrupt and soon to be destroyed civilization.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I not expect that if I do not give heed and diligence to the words of Christ, as Alma declared, that I will find myself suffering in a "Shazer" event?</div><div><br /></div><div>How will I respond?</div><div><br /></div><div>How have I responded to this point?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I seriously consider that I would be immune to the tendency of accusing and judging God's actions and intents for His work that He has invited me to be a part of?</div><div><br /></div><div>How was Lehi chastened in this event?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that his chastening was similar to this?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now, I want you to think about (because this is a topic that’s going to recur throughout today) what the words mean: ...his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness. And He did this in His wrath. We tend to think of God as very loving and benign after the sacrifice of Christ. And these words seem to be “Old Testament-like” and not “New Testament-like.” But understanding, hopefully (when we get through today), more about the nature of God's ire and God's approval… Disapproval from God feels terrible. <br />When we were looking at the reaction that people have (in the last day of judgment) to standing in the presence of a just and holy being and feeling awful, I pointed out to you that in that passage, God was doing nothing other than existing. But the disappointment in the mind of man is so exquisite that it is likened by Joseph Smith to a lake of fire and brimstone. <br />Therefore, God in His wrath has simply withdrawn. He’s taken a step back because we’re not suited to be in His presence. Therefore, having God withdraw is a matter of feeling keenly that absence, that rejection. ("Talk 8: A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit," Denver Snuffer, 25/July/2014, pgs. 1 - 2)</span><div><br /></div><div>This is what Mother Smith recorded of the time following the loss of the original translated manuscript until the Lord decided to accept a repentant Joseph and resume the work.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When Joseph had taken a little nourishment, according to the directions of the stranger, he requested us to send immediately for Mr. Harris. This we did without delay. And when we had given the stranger his breakfast, we commenced preparing breakfast for the family; and we supposed that Mr. Harris would be there, as soon as it was ready, to eat with us, for he generally came in such haste when he was sent for. At eight o'clock we set the victuals on the table, as we were expecting him every moment. We waited till nine, and he came not - till ten, and he was not there, - till eleven, still he did not make his appearance. But at half-past twelve we saw him walking with a slow and measured tread towards the house, his eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the ground. On coming to the gate, he stopped, instead of passing through, and got upon the fence, and sat there some time with his hat drawn over his eyes. At length he entered the house. Soon after which we sat down to the table, Mr. Harris with the rest. He took up his knife and fork as if he were going to use them, but immediately dropped them. Hyrum, observing this said, "Martin, why do you not eat; are you sick?" Upon which, Mr. Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out, in a tone of deep anguish, "Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!"</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Joseph, who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought condemnation upon my head, as well as your own?"</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Yes, it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where."</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Oh, my God!" said Joseph, clinching his hands. "All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned - it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually...</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I well remember that day of darkness, both within and without. To us, at least, the heavens seemed clothed with blackness, and the earth shrouded with gloom.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I have often said within myself, that if a continual punishment, as severe as that which we experienced on that occasion, were to be inflicted upon the most wicked characters who ever stood upon the footstool of the Almighty - if even their punishment were no greater than that, I should feel to pity their condition. (<u>History of Joseph Smith by His Mother</u>, Lucy Mack Smith, pgs. 127 - 132)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Of the above event the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph as follows.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, I command you to repent and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith Jr. in my name; and it is by my almighty power that you have received them. Therefore, I command you to repent, repent lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore — how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit, and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again to repent lest I humble you by my almighty power, and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my spirit. (D&C 19:13 - 20, T&C 1, Joseph Smith History, part 17, par. 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If I understand correctly, what Mother Smith described was the withdrawal of the Lord that occurred which the Lord declared was the least degree of the punishment they experienced.</div><div><br /></div><div>That does seem quite terrible.</div><div><br /></div><div>If this is what occurred here to Lehi, is it any wonder that Lehi, who had been in the presence of the Lord and also of the Father and who had seen and heard unspeakable things would be <span style="color: #2b00fe;">truly chastened because of his murmurings against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>How seriously should I consider this event?</div><div><br /></div><div>How seriously should I use this event as a witness to me so that maybe in this late age of the world I can learn by wisdom instead of by sad experience?</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-89880492815178682082022-06-25T19:47:00.000-07:002022-06-25T19:47:35.018-07:00We Did Take our Bows and our Arrows<p>1 Nephi 16:12 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 5 pars. 5 - 6 </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did take our tents and departed into the wilderness across the river Laman. And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families, we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness which were in the borders near the Red Sea. And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way with our bows, and our arrows, and our stones, and our slings; and we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 pars. 5 - 6</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did take our tents and departed into the wilderness across the river Laman. And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south - southeast direction, <br />and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer. <br /><br />And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families, we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness which were in the borders near the Red Sea. And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way with our bows, and our arrows, and our stones, and our slings; and we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What strikes me here about this account of their travels in the wilderness is that even though the flight of Lehi's family is a prophesied and a divine flight from Jerusalem to another land, the undertaking of the journey and everything associated with it at this point is so very mortal, so to speak.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do I mean by this?</div><div><br /></div><div>They are required day by day to walk and travel. They are required day by day to provide food for their families. They are required to pitch their own tents when they stop and then to take down and stow their tents when they travel. It appears to be a common ordinary existence of daily toil.</div><div><br /></div><div>Except for the presence of the Liahona directing them, there does not appear from the record to be any indication that they were spared, at this point, from the daily menial labors that were constantly required for day to day survival and progress. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why would that be so, given that the journey they were undertaking was calculated to alter world history?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is to be gained by being required to go through the day to day grind, even if you are involved in a divine project, that requires you to take time away from that divine project in order to meet daily needs?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a pattern?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a requirement?</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember what God declared to Adam and Eve in the following, at the time Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And unto Adam, I, the Lord God, said, Because you have listened unto the voice of your wife and have eaten of the fruit of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, cursed shall be the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you shall return unto the ground, for you shall surely die, for out of it were you taken — for dust you were and unto dust shall you return. ... (Moses 4:20 - 27, OC Genesis 2 par. 18)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Was this command given to Adam, upon being cast out of the Garden of Eden, in order to create the opportunity for God to bless Adam's labors?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this command to daily toil related to participating in something divine?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then there is this statement—it's a rather lengthy passage, but it's really worth hearing: </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the heathen where you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness; and from all your idols [I will] cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people and I will be your God. I will also save you from...your uncleanness, and I will call for the grain and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall you remember your...evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourself in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I do this, says the Lord God, be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord God: In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be built. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. ...they shall say, This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities have become fortified and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places and plant that which was desolate. I the Lord have spoken it, ...I will do it. (Ezekiel 18:8-10 RE, emphasis added) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">So, the land is going to produce—you have to walk in His statues, you have to keep His judgments. And if you do, eventually you will come to the point that you recognize, in your own eyes, the loathsomeness of the things that you have done that were ungodly, that were unclean, that were inappropriate, selfish, unkind, unholy. You’ll do that. Because as you become more clean, you look back with abhorrence upon your past failures. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then, you get to go to harsh lands, bad places, desolate wastes, desolate, desolate. Okay, that's the list. That's what He's talking about. Here's what these people that He's going to gather are going to get to do: They get to go to desolate land; wastes shall be built; it's gonna lay desolate in the sight of all that pass by. And the people that pass by that looked at this place are going to say, “This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden!” Well, how did that happen? It's because, apparently, idiots went and tilled this crappy, desolate, waste place and invested their labor. By the sweat of your brow shall you eat your bread (see Genesis 3:1 RE). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">What He's saying is, “Okay—finally, finally I've got people who are willing to invest the sweat of their brow. I told Adam that was the deal. You didn't like paradise. So here, go take this, and turn it back into paradise. I made you a husbandman to the ground. You didn't like that; you're malcontent. So here, go out, and work this stuff.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This whole passage in Isaiah in Ezekiel is accounting for the surprise. “Oh, my word. Look at that!”—the surprise of the passersby who see tilling going on in pretty unfavorable conditions. Well, why would that be? It’s because the Lord agrees to prosper what you do. But it is the doing that is incumbent upon you. The Three Nephites aren't gonna come plow the field (folklore from early Mormon history notwithstanding). John the Beloved isn't gonna come out and say, “Hey, I've been saving these magic beans for, you know, generations. And if you plant ‘em….” Actually, now that I think about it, if you plan ‘em you might inherit a giant in the land. So, why don't you do without the magic beans? </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There's work to be done. Our covenant with the Lord says, Teach your children to honor me. Seek to recover the lost sheep remnant of this land and of Israel and no longer forsake them. Bring them unto me and teach them of my ways, to walk in them. And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching. I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time... (T&C 158:11-13) </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Notice that there's a sequence here within the covenant itself. He's saying He's gonna lead us and bring us to peace. But there's a troubling season that is fast approaching. That's gonna happen with some rapidity; it's gonna be upon you. “I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time.” That doesn't sound like we oughta be assembling ourselves in haste. That sounds like the troubling times fast approaching are going to precede the time in which He will gather us in due time.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> ...and this shall be a land of promise to you as your inheritance from me. The earth will yield its increase... (Ibid. 13-14, emphasis added) Yield requires effort. It requires something be pursued. It requires that there be effort. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">● “We got our army together, and we got our battering ram, and we beat against the door of the castle, and a lot of us took arrows from above—but we just kept beating and beating, and the door to the castle yielded. And then we were able to take the stronghold.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">● “I saw this gorgeous gal when I was a freshman and asked her out 30 times my freshman year and 60 times my sophomore year and 90 times my junior year. And my senior year, her returned missionary came back and abandoned her, and she went out with me! She finally yielded!” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Okay, think of that word “yield” in the context of the covenant. It doesn't mean, “There! I went out. I prayed. Jesus, I'd like wheat; oh, and barley; oh, oh, and oats—I like oatmeal. Oh, oh, oh, oh, grapes, too. Grapes. I want some grapes. And how ‘bout some peach trees? Love peaches!” [Denver singing] “Millions of peaches; peaches for me” (lyrics of the song “Peaches”). “Why is this a barren wasteland, desolate, no better than it was before my prayer? I don't get it, Lord, wasn't this supposed to be fairy dust that makes it all easy?” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...The earth will yield its increase, and you will flourish upon the mountains and upon the hills, and the wicked will not come against you because the fear of the Lord [shall] be with you. I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you, and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you [shall all] know me, from the least to the greatest. (Ibid. 14-15) That's at the end of the process that He's describing in the Answer to the Prayer or this is the Covenant itself that we're reading from. This is the process that He says is going to unfold. We expect a house of God with no labor, land that will yield without effort, a desolate wasteland to become the Garden of Eden when we do nothing more than to ask. ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID
5 September 2021, pgs. 8 - 10)</span></div><div><br />The above is an excerpt of a talk delivered in Challis, Idaho speaking about the necessity for a people being gathered to Zion to labor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't the gathering of a people to Zion in the last days a divine undertaking?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't the gathering of a people to Zion in the last days a prophetic event that has been hoped for by the prophets down through time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why the necessity with such an event to require daily toil to bring forth food for survival?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is to be gained by such an effort?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the command given to Adam at the fall is a command the Lord intended to be followed in order to rise up while additionally sacrificing to be a part of a divine work?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that what the Lord intends to do; to bless the labors of a righteous people?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have an example in scripture of a situation that approaches this?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And when their priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God, they all returned again diligently unto their labors, and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers; for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner. And thus they were all equal; and they did all labor, every man according to his strength. And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted. And they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions. (Alma 1:19 - 28, NC Alma 1 par. 5)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The priests and the teachers were all required to labor with everyone else.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to laboring, the priests and the teachers sacrificed to impart the word of God unto the people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it reasonable to consider that Nephi, who sacrificed to impart the word of God, was required to perform the same daily toil as everyone else in the company?</div><div><br /></div><div>In this daily toil together were all the members of Lehi's company equal?</div><div><br /></div><div>The priest and the teachers of the church in Alma's day did not esteem themselves better than the hearers and the learners.</div><div><br /></div><div>They were all equal because they all labored.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition they imparted of their substance to the poor and the needy the sick and the afflicted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is equality required in a group that is tasked with a divine mission?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For verily I say unto you, the time has come and is now at hand, and behold and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of the literary and the mercantile establishments of my church, both in this place and in the land of Zion, for a permanent and everlasting establishment and firm unto my church, to advance the cause which you have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in Heaven, that you may be equal in the bonds of Heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of Heavenly things. For if you are not equal in earthly things, you cannot be equal in obtaining Heavenly things, for if you will that I give unto you a place in the Celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded and required of you. (D&C 78:3 - 7, T&C 70 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that everyone toiling daily together has the effect of creating equality among a group who are tasked with a divine mission?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that this requirement that everyone labor and have that commonality is part of what would make a group of people equal in earthly things for the obtaining of Heavenly things?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did Alma mean by saying that every man did labor with their strength?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">They weren't all priests. (Well, that's not equal.) They weren't all teachers. (That's not equal
either.) But they were all equal. “And they did all labor….” Oh, so they have one thing in
common, and the one thing that they have in common is work, “...every man according to
his strength.” You have to give what you have. And one man's strength may not be another
man's strength, but he needs to give according to the strength that he has. And one woman's
strength may not be what another woman's strength is, but she must give according to the
strength that she has. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">If I could point to one of this morning's examples (or mid-day examples, I guess): Connie
Waterman is physically frail. But she has the strength to compose and the strength to sing a
song of worship that means something to us all. It certainly means something to me; it
certainly had an effect upon me.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Everyone has to labor. ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This labor that brings equality among a people of God is required to provide the necessities of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>I agree with the following.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I've heard it said that there are people who think that the Lord expects them to spend their
time studying the Scriptures. And that that's the labor to which they've been called. I think
that's absolutely fantastic. And when you get through gnawing on your leather-bound
Scriptures (which may have some limited nutritional value), then I hope that the ink on the
cotton (which certainly has fiber) won't kill you when your Scripture study leads you to
eating your Scriptures to fill your growling belly. Because it doesn't matter what God gives
you, you're not gonna be able to feed yourself. And if the labor of your hand consists in
turning a page… Well, I would suggest we build a glass booth and put the person in the
booth and put a hat out front for the entertainment value. And we can all drop our spare
change in as we go by, watching the man who turns the page produce the labor necessary
for Zion.
Because Zion is hard work; it's taking what is desolate and making it become something
that it’s not. ("Equ</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">ality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">pg. 13)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that there are several purposes for the command God gave to Adam at the fall that requires daily toil.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe personally that daily toil also allows an individual to see everything God has placed to testify of Christ in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>As individuals daily toil are they not allowed to see the ebb and flow of nature?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitiation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do. ("Solstice," Denversnuffer.com, 18 December 2010)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>And the following.</div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yeah. But all things bear testimony of Christ—all things. Whether they are on the earth or under the earth or in the earth or above the earth, all things bear testimony of Christ. The Scriptures say so. You think about the caterpillar that’s a pest, that’s something to wreck your garden, that goes into a cocoon—and then it comes out of the cocoon, and it’s now something that helps fertilize and pollinate. And it leaves its grubby, earthly confines to become airborne and colorful and a contributor to life and to your gardening. It’s the same animal. And tell me that isn’t a testimony of Christ. All things bear testimony of Him, and science simply ratifies that. ("113:Nature, Part 3," Denversnuffer podcast, May 24, 2020)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I believe that in any divine mission there are various and multiple "labors" that must be performed in order to sustain life and to bring joy to this existence.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that it is possible to recognize the signs all around us that point to Christ in whatever labor we are engaged in if we will look.</div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned above, I believe as well, that every person must labor according to their strength, whatever that is, in the daily toil to survive and move forward in any divine work just as Lehi and his company were required to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to be reliant upon Them for our support.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to see that all things do bear testimony of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to have a commonality that would make us all equal, the commonality of labor.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that Nephi intentionally took the time and performed the labor by his sacrifice of inscribing onto metal plates this account of their journey so that we might understand that any divine action will necessarily be accompanied by daily toil and labor to sustain life and move forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>From what I am able to understand from the scriptures, it appears to me presently, that there is no magical sprinkling of fairy dust that removes the first command of the Lord to Adam, upon casting him out of the Garden, to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow all the days of his life. </div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that this dying society we live in presently has rejected this commandment as a whole.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe for me, that if I am ever to consider that I might be able to be a part of a divine work at this moment in the history of the world, I must be willing to labor with my own hands according to my strengths and contribute to the daily toil that this life requires of all of us.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As far as I know, none of us… And certainly I cannot provide for everyone. But I can
provide for my own family. And each of you should labor to do the same... ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 13)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that I have a very important and divinely imposed burden for my family.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Verily thus says the Lord: In addition to the laws of the church, concerning women and children who belong to the church, who have lost their husbands or fathers, women have claim on their husbands until they are taken, and if they are not found transgressors, they remain upon their inheritances. All children have claim upon their parents until they are of age, and after that, they have claim upon the church, or in other words the Lord’s storehouse, for inheritances. (D&C 83, T&C 79)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I know this may seem a strange post but I do honestly believe that nothing recorded by Nephi in the Book of Mormon was done haphazardly or simply as a travel log.</div><div><br /></div><div>I presently believe that what I got for myself from this part of the record right now might or very well could or should be something even more if I were to revisit this part of the record in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe now that the Book of Mormon is more like a parable than a history.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have come to see things contained in the record that I had not encountered upon first reading the Book of Mormon or even upon subsequent readings.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been working to cast off cultural, religious, and even familial traditions that have colored my view of the message of the Book of Mormon; hoping to read it as a completely new book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that if I will repent and if I will be diligent in crying to God, that my views will become increasingly more like the views of a child reading this record. I believe this is necessary for the Lord to be able to open to me the ever layered teachings that exist in the Book of Mormon parable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would invite everyone to follow the same course of casting off all preconceived notions and all traditions that confine the message of the Book of Mormon and cry unto God and repent so that He will open up the message of His Book of Mormon to you personally.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-20077616252138751582022-06-12T21:28:00.001-07:002022-06-13T20:25:04.530-07:00Into the Wilderness<p>1 Nephi 16:11, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 4 </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us. And we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 4</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which yhwh had given unto us. And we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I believe that it is important a various times along the way to reiterate the purpose of this blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no intention of presenting thoughts and ideas that must be accepted as the truth and all or even any significant amount of what the Book of Mormon teaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is presented here is a sample of some of my present understanding of the principles, teachings, tenets, etc. that are presented in the Book of Mormon.</div><div><br /></div><div>At best my present understanding of anything at all in the Book of Mormon is woefully incomplete but more likely it is incorrect.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sole purpose for this blog is to hopefully inspire folks to take a patient, considered, thoughtful, and prayerful look into the Book of Mormon for themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>For me personally, I have found that the Book of Mormon has no limit to the depths of understanding it can and will yield to anyone who will look at it with fresh eyes and careful and ponderous thought as though they were a child.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi seems to be very deliberate with everything he inscribed on the plates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here we have him listing, very specifically, three groups of items that they gathered together for their trip into the wilderness.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Whatsoever things we should carry </div><div>2) All the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us </div><div>3) We did take seed of every kind </div><div><br /></div><div>Why be so deliberate and specific?</div><div><br /></div><div>What would be instructive by including such a deliberately stated list of items taken for the journey?</div><div><br /></div><div>What should come to my mind as I read "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us"</span>?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Nephi simply recognizing that the Lord provided all the provisions they have?</div><div><br /></div><div>This part of the record raises a question for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there a scriptural pattern of things the Lord does to lead a people away from a society doomed to destruction?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the Lord always lead a people away from an existing societal structure when He intends to do a work among men?</div><div><br /></div><div>If there is a pattern would I benefit from recognizing it to be able to determine for myself if the Lord is undertaking a work among men?</div><div><br /></div><div>At what point in societal cycles has the Lord worked a work among men by seeking to lead a people out?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that leading a people out is in any way related to what God declares here in these following verses?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! ...(3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And in this very hour, he began to weep over Jerusalem, saying, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone them who are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen her brood under her wings, and you would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. And truly I say unto you, you shall not know me until you have received from the hand of the Lord a just recompense for all your sins, until the time come when you shall say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:34 - 35, NC Luke 9 par. 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And again, the Lord shall utter his voice out of Heaven saying, Hearken, O you nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you: O you nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you would not? How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by my own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgments, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but you would not? Behold, the day has come when the cup of the wrath of my indignation is full. (D&C 43:23 - 26, T&C 29 par.8)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Should it be important to us that we have recorded in every volume of scripture we presently possess that statement of the Lord about gathering people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing?</div><div><br /></div><div>The first time I can recollect in scripture that God led a people out from among an existing society was the record of Enoch.</div><div><br /></div><div>What was happening in the world at the time that Enoch was called by God to preach repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land among the people. And as he journeyed, the spirit of God descended out of Heaven and abided upon him. And he heard a voice from Heaven saying, Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them, Repent, for thus says the Lord: I am angry with this people and my fierce anger is kindled against them, for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off. And for these many generations, even since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark. And in their own abominations have they devised murder and have not kept the commandment which I gave unto their father Adam. Wherefore, they have falsely sworn themselves, and by their oaths they have brought upon themselves death. And a hell I have prepared for them if they repent not. And this is a decree which I have sent forth in the beginning of the world, from my own mouth, from the foundation thereof. And by the mouths of my servants your fathers have I decreed it, even as it shall be sent forth in the world unto the end thereof. (Moses 6:26 - 30, OC Genesis 4 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Aren't these very seriously ugly societal events occurring at the time of Enoch; seeking their own counsels in the dark, in their abominations devising murder, falsely swearing themselves, bringing death upon themselves by their oaths?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who initiated these oaths that brought upon them death and who initiated the counsels in the dark?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wasn't it Cain following Lucifer's direction?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does the Book of Mormon have to say concerning these ancient oaths and dark counsels established by Cain?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hugh Nibley in his lecture series on the Pearl of Great Price in 1986 had this to say about the above verse in the book of Moses.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">All our scriptures here are apocalyptic. That means that they are revealed, they are brought forth, by times of pressure and crisis. And they always come on the eve of great destructions. That's why they're given to us.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Read the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, "Hearken ye people of the earth," and so forth. "Therefore ye people fear and tremble." That's the theme of the seventh verse of the first chapter; therefore fear and tremble oh ye people.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This is the message because these things always come when they're badly needed; when the world has been going the wrong way for a long time and it's time to set things right again.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it's always accompanied by violent upheavals of nature and world upheavals; political, international, and everything else.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">We're going to get a lot of that here. You see it in the days of Adam. We, now we see it in the days of Enoch. ("Enoch", Pearl of Great Price Lecture Series - 22, Hugh Nibley, minutes 2:25 - 3:10)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">“Each of the great dispensations of the gospel has come in a time of world upheaval, when
the waywardness of the human race has been matched by...climactic restlessness of the
elements” (Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt, p. 164).</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As we look around presently, is there any parallel to what is occurring in our society today?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do the secret oaths of death and the dark counsels abound around us?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we witness violent upheavals of nature and world upheavals both politically and internationally?</div><div><br /></div><div>In his day what was Enoch called by God face to face to do?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them, Repent, for thus says the Lord: I am angry with this people and my fierce anger is kindled against them, for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If we were to peruse the scriptures and consider the events that were unfolding in the world in the brother of Jared's day at the tower of Babel would we find them to be similar?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was what the brother of Jared received from God apocalyptic in nature for his time?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the events in the society of Jerusalem during Lehi's day?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the events occurring in the days of king Mosiah the first,</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with mine own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defense of my brethren. And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations. And I know of no revelation, save that which has been written, neither prophecy. Wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi — and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him into the wilderness — and it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. And they discovered a people who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla, and also, Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass, which contained the record of the Jews. (Omni 1:10 - 14, NC Omni 1 pars. 5 - 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see in the brief mention of events in the book of Omni that just as Hugh Nibley stated things had been going in the wrong way among the Nephites for a long time?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And I know of no revelation, save that which has been written, neither prophecy. Wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If the King of Heaven has ceased to speak to them is that not going in the wrong way?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was it time to set things right in the days of king Mosiah the first?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever we look at the history of the world can we see in scripture that when God goes to work to lead a people our from among a dying society that there is much commotion?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there any indication of such a commotion today?</div><div><br /></div><div>When God begins a work among men to try to prepare a people to lead them out, as a scriptural pattern, who does He send to declare repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is the sign of their authority from God?</div><div><br /></div><div>As we read concerning Enoch further on in the record we discover that he was a "nobody" so to speak in the eyes of the people.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord, and spoke before the Lord, saying, Why is it that I have found favor in your sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me, for I am slow of speech; why am I your servant? ... (Moses 6:31 - 34, OC Genesis 4 par. 2)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Wasn't the message that Enoch delivered the sign of his authority from God?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice testifying against their works. And all men were offended because of him. And they came forth to hear him upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers, Stay here and keep the tents while we go there to behold the seer, for he prophesies. And there is a strange thing in the land: a wild man has come among us. And it came to pass, when they heard him, no man laid their hands on him, for fear came on all them that heard him, for he walked with God. (Moses 6:37 - 39, OC Genesis 4 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>When he comes among the people his message is so powerful that the people quake at hearing it but they still did not know who he is nor where he came from.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And there came a man unto him, whose name was Mahijah, and said unto him, Tell us plainly who you are and from where you came. And he says unto them, I came out from the land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a land of righteousness unto this day; and my father taught me in all the ways of God. And it came to pass, as I journeyed from the land of Cainan by the sea east, I beheld a vision, and lo, the Heavens I saw. And the Lord spoke with me and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause — to keep the commandment — I speak forth these words. And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord who spoke with me, the same is the God of Heaven. And he is my God, and your God, and you are my brethren. And why do you counsel yourselves and deny the God of Heaven? The heavens has he made, the earth his footstool, and the foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it. And hosts of men has he brought in upon the face thereof, and death has come upon our fathers; nevertheless, we know them and cannot deny. And even the first of all we know, even Adam, for a book of remembrance we have written among us according to the pattern given by the finger of God, and it is given in our own language. (Moses 6:40 - 46, OC Genesis 4 par. 5)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>So if we are to consider Enoch as a pattern, can we discover that God uses outsiders, almost all of the time despised by the priests and ruling classes, as His prophets to call people to repentance and to lead a repentant people out from dying societies if they will?</div><div><br /></div><div>If we look at Lehi does he fit this pattern?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Lehi of the priestly or ruling class in Jerusalem?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Jeremiah his contemporary?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Abinadi among the people of king Noah?</div><div><br /></div><div>How about Elijah?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the Lord considered an outsider among the priestly and ruling class at Jerusalem?</div><div><br /></div><div>When Ether came prophesying among the Jaredites was he part of the priestly or ruling class?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about the prophet Joseph?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Joseph accepted by the religionists and leaders of his day?</div><div><br /></div><div>With all of the above examples, wasn't it the message they were commanded to declare, wasn't that the sign of their authority from God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would God follow such a pattern?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Last general conference [April 5, 2014] the entire First Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventy, and all other general authorities and auxiliaries voted to sustain those who abused their authority in casting me out of the Church. At that moment, the Lord ended all claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to claim it is led by the priesthood. They have not practiced what he requires. The Lord has brought about His purposes. This has been in His heart all along. He has chosen to use small means to accomplish it, but he always uses the smallest of means to fulfill His purposes. (T&C 166:3)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If God intends to do His work through the smallest of means then that would mean that He would use the weak and the despised among men for they are the smallest of means aren't they?</div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Lying spirits appeal to your pride and vanity. God will chasten you and require you to be meek and serve both Him and your fellow man. Lying spirits will tell you that you are some great and mighty person. God will remind you that only He is strong, but He uses the weak things of this world to accomplish His work. Therefore, no one can take credit but Him for whatever is accomplished.<br /><br />Proud, foolish and vain people have never built Zion. Only the penitent, the meek, and the humble can qualify to be around as God does His work. ("Today and Yesterday," Denver Snuffer, Denversnuffer.com, July 21 2014)</span><div><br /></div><div>Don't the weak and despised of men have a more accurate view of their situation before God than the noble, proud, titled, and educated?</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't the weak and despised of men trust in the Lord and do His will without improvising unlike the noble, proud, titled, and educated?</div><div><br /></div><div>As I look around me today, in this time of commotion, is it possible that I might find that God is sending forth truth from an unlikely source, someone weak and despised by the noble, educated, titled, and proud, in an effort to prepare a people to lead them out from a dying society?</div><div><br /></div><div>How likely was it that a 14 year old farm boy saw God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did that defy tradition and culture?</div><div><br /></div><div>What would the apocalyptic, as Hugh Nibley put it, message from God consist of?</div><div><br /></div><div>What was the message Enoch was sent to declare?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I beheld a vision, and lo, the Heavens I saw. And the Lord spoke with me and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause — to keep the commandment — I speak forth these words. And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord who spoke with me, the same is the God of Heaven. And he is my God, and your God, and you are my brethren. And why do you counsel yourselves and deny the God of Heaven? The heavens has he made, the earth his footstool, and the foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it. And hosts of men has he brought in upon the face thereof, and death has come upon our fathers; nevertheless, we know them and cannot deny.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Wasn't Enoch's message defiant of the then settled culture and religion of that day?</div><div><br /></div><div>What was Lehi's message to those at Jerusalem?</div><div><br /></div><div>Shouldn't we expect that the message God sends through these small means will be uncomfortable even unnerving for us compared to our traditional beliefs and ideas?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't the message always a message of repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div>If God is setting things right again because things have been going the wrong way for a long time then doesn't that require a message of repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div>How is such a message viewed by a majority of the human family?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is the scriptural pattern here?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should it surprise us if a message from God, sent through an unlikely source, is not well received?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did the Prophet Joseph declare concerning the small means (true prophets) who were sent to declare a message from God?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves “in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,” and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 206)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If a people, no matter how small the group, does respond to God's call to repent and is willing to be gathered even a chicks are gathered under the wings of a hen, what is the pattern God uses to lead them out?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start back with Enoch.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent. And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them, and he spoke the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled — even according to his command — and the rivers of water were turned out of their course, and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness. And all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him. There also came up a land out of the depths of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God that they fled, and stood afar off, and went upon the land which came up out of the depths of the sea. And the giants of the land also stood afar off. And there went forth a curse upon all the people who fought against God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And from that time forth there were wars and bloodsheds among them, but the Lord came and dwelled with his people and they dwelled in righteousness. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains and upon the high places, and did flourish. And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart, and of one mind, and dwelled in righteousness, and there was no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the city of holiness, even Zion. (Moses 7:12 - 19, OC Genesis 4 pars. 13 - 14)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Lord by His power led Enoch and the people of God out and protected them. The power of the Lord was among them and they built a city of holiness that the wicked would not come unto.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt in an attempt to gather them as chicks did He lead them out of Egypt by His power?</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord led Lehi and his companions out of Jerusalem did He lead them by His power?</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord led Mosiah the first and all who would believe the words the Lord had commanded him to speak out from among the Nephites did the Lord lead them by His power?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did the Lord lead the more righteous among the Nephites out from the wicked by His power at the time of His crucifixion?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words, behold, they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their kindred and friends. And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away. And it was in the morning and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away, and the earth did cleave together again that it stood, and the mourning and the weeping and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease. And their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and the thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets. And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not, and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared. And they were spared, and were not sunk and buried up in the earth, and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea, and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were not carried away in the whirlwind, neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness. (3 Nephi 10:8 - 13, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 10)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What did the Lord declare to the Prophet Joseph that must occur for a people to be led out in our day?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the redemption of Zion must needs come by power, therefore I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel, for you are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham, and you must needs be led out of bondage by power and with a stretched out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers, my Angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you, my Angel shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time you shall possess the goodly land. (D&C 103:15 - 20, T&C 104 par. 4)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Has this event occurred?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have a record in our day of the presence of the Lord going up before a people to lead them out to Zion, a city of holiness?</div><div><br /></div><div>My understanding of scripture is that God works in patterns.</div><div><br /></div><div>By seeing the scriptural patterns we may be better prepared to recognize what God is doing in our present day.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that in the days of Joseph a light broke forth among them that sit in darkness, and it was the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they received it not, for they perceived not the light and they turned their hearts from Christ because of the precepts of men. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord sought in the days of Joseph to gather a people even as a hen gathereth her chicks but they would not be gathered and Joseph was murdered by the conspiracy of those who were part of the church he had begun.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Hugh Nibley put it, apocalyptic messages come from God after things have gone the wrong way for a long time and just before a period of great destructions.</div><div><br /></div><div>On September 10th 2013, 169 years following the death of the Prophet Joseph, the Lord began again an apocalyptic message calling people to repentance after 169 years of the ever increasing loss of light following the death of the Prophet Joseph.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord used the smallest means, a weak individual hated and despised by those in power and authority, to deliver this message of repentance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord instructed this weak and despised individual face to face and gave him the errand of declaring His message.</div><div><br /></div><div>The message that has been and continues to be delivered by this individual is the sign of his authority from God.</div><div><br /></div><div>The earth and the political and international events of the world are all in commotion and upheaval.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of these elements from the scriptural pattern are present right now today.</div><div><br /></div><div>All that remains is for a people to respond to the message God is sending by turning to face Him so that they may be led by God's power and His stretched out arm as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings out from among a dying society.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a witness that these things are occurring right before our eyes. I have been a willing participant in this Restoration movement and as I have stated before my soul has been enlarged and it has become delicious to me. It has passed Alma's test for planting the seed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I invite everyone to come in and be part of God's great work among the human family in our day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The pattern will be completed. A group of people will be led out by power. Jeremiah saw that event.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Therefore, behold, the days come, says the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt — but, The Lord lives who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries to which I had driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land. (Jeremiah 23:5 - 8, OC Jeremiah 8 par. 17)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Part of God's power has already been manifest in the light He is sending down presently and by way of a covenant He has condescended to provide for anyone who will willingly accept it.</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>There are two places anyone may go and find this message.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thetentalks.com">www.thetentalks.com</a></div><div><a href="http://www.learnofchrist.org">www.learnofchrist.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Upon review of this message, if anyone desires to act according to the message they may go to <a href="http://www.bornofwater.org">www.bornofwater.org</a> and request baptism as a sign between them and God alone that they accept His apocalyptic message for our day, desire to receive the holy ghost which the Father pours out upon all who follow the example of His Son Jesus Christ by being baptized, and desire to be gathered and led out from a dying society.</div><div> </div><div>It is readily apparent that great destructions are upon us now and men's hearts have grown cold heeding lies and deceits instead of truth and growing ever increasingly angry with one another without cause.</div><div><br /></div><div>God has begun to save what He began with Joseph that will culminate in a righteous people being led out from among the wicked to a place of holiness even as Enoch and his people.</div><div><br /></div><div>I testify, as a living participant, that this is currently underway.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-40255664014547526722022-05-17T17:52:00.000-07:002022-05-17T17:52:02.128-07:00A Round Ball of Curious Workmanship<p>1 Nephi 16:9 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by night and commanded him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning and went forth to the tent door, and to his great astonishment, he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship, and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of yhwh spoke unto my father by night and commanded him that the next day he should take his journey into the wilderness. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning and went forth to the tent door, and to his great astonishment, he beheld upon the ground a round ball of elegant workmanship, and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way where we should go into the wilderness.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>We do not know how long Lehi, Ishmael, and their families sojourned in the valley of Laman by the river Lemuel. I am inclined to believe that it was possibly a matter of a few years at least.</p><p>One indication to me that bears this up is their efforts to gather seeds of every kind.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind and also of the seeds of fruits of every kind. (1 Nephi 8:1, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 6)</span></p><p>It would seem to me that it would take some years of time to be able to accomplish this task.</p><p>Again we have evidence again here that Lehi and his company continue to be connected to the kingdom of God because God the King continues to speak to them and give them commandments specific to their circumstances.</p><p>One thing that is very interesting to me is the specific mention by Nephi that the Lord spake unto Lehi by night and commanded him to begin the journey into the wilderness.</p><p>Why not state "the Lord spake unto my father and commanded him that he should take his journey into the wilderness"?</p><p>Wouldn't it be easier to inscribe that and wouldn't we still understand that the Lord commanded Lehi to begin the journey into the wilderness and Lehi was obedient?</p><p>Is this instance consistent with a gift that Lehi possesses?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account. But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands. Wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life. (1 Nephi 1:16 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 4)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed art thou Lehi because of the things which thou hast done. And because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord; wherefore, he did as the Lord commanded him. (1 Nephi 2:1 - 3, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 6)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem... (1 Nephi 3:1 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 10)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream, or in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they and also many of their seed will be saved. But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you. For behold, methought I saw in my dream a dark and dreary wilderness. And it came to pass that I saw a man and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me according to the multitude of his tender mercies. (1 Nephi 8:2 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 7)</span></p><p>Are dreams considered fragile things in this world?</p><p>Do individuals discount dreams?</p><p>Is there a lot of analysis of dreams that is made to try to interpret the psyche of an individual?</p><p>How difficult would it be to trust the word of someone's dream?</p><p>Would I be trusting of the contents of the dreams of my own father?</p><p>Is this possibly a challenge of faith the Lord is putting forth for the rest of Lehi's party?</p><p>How would I respond?</p><p>Is Lehi's gift consistent with scriptural instruction?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth. And the Lord spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out you three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in dark speeches. And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (Numbers 12:2 - 8, OC Numbers 7 par. 22)</span></p><p>We know from the Book of Mormon record that Lehi was a descendant of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.</p><p>Did Joseph who was sold into Egypt possess this gift of inspired dreams?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And Joseph dreamed a dream and he told it to his brethren, and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed; for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright. And behold, your sheaves stood round about and bowed down to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more. And behold, the sun, and the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me. And he told it to his father and to his brethren. And his father rebuked him and said unto him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth? And his brethren envied him, but his father observed the saying. And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. (Genesis 37:5 - 12, OC Genesis 11 par. 2)</span></p><p>As much evidence as there is scripturally for the gift of dreams, including right here in the Book of Mormon, I still have to ask myself do I really believe in the gift of inspired dreams?</p><p>How would I have responded here if I had been part of Lehi's company?</p><p>How would I have responded even at the first with the dream to leave Jerusalem?</p><p>How would I have responded to a dream that showed my unwillingness to approach God?</p><p>Is it possible that the appearance of the Liahona at this point has the added purpose of persuading the group that the direction given to Lehi by night, to depart into the wilderness, really is from God?</p><p>Right here at the first mention of the brass ball of curious workmanship we are told that there were two spindles in the ball but we are told only concerning one of them at this point.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way where we should go into the wilderness.</span></p><p>As far as the recording of events goes we see not too much further in the record that there was more to the Liahona than just giving directions for travel.</p><p>During a period of repentance, following murmuring, the Lord gave Lehi the following direction.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things... (1 Nephi 16:26 - 32, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 8)</span></p><p>Do I understand this correctly?</p><p>Was there writing on the ball and also writing upon the two spindles, which writing on the spindles changed from time to time?</p><p>What was written on the ball that caused Lehi and the others to fear and to tremble exceedingly?</p><p>What was the new plain to read writing that was upon the spindles that gave understanding of the ways of the Lord to them?</p><p>Were any of these writings recorded?</p><p>What are the ways of the Lord?</p><p>Were the things written specific to the ways of the Lord concerning their journey or were they things that were even more inclusive that would benefit all men?</p><p>If there is more to the record than we have right at this moment is there a way for me to access this information?</p><p>Would it be beneficial for me to consider and pursue a greater understanding of these things?</p><p>Is the information recorded in this part of the record in any way related to the following declaration of Mormon?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now there cannot be written in this book even an hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people. But behold, the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people, and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people from the gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first to try their faith, and if it should so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation. Behold, I were about to write them all, which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me. Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people for the space of three days, and after that, he did shew himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them. (3 Nephi 26:6 - 13, NC 3 Nephi 12 par. 1)</span></p><p>How would I go about demonstrating that I believe these things that are given so that the greater things might be made manifest to me?</p><p>Is there anywhere I can go to get understanding of where the Lord might want me to begin to demonstrate my belief in what Nephi recorded here?</p><p>My present belief is that Lehi might have been sent to minister to Alma.</p><p>Why do I believe this?</p><p>Alma spoke of seeing the Father even as Lehi had seen the Father, he spoke extensively of the tree of life and how to come and pluck of the fruit of that tree, and Alma also spoke extensively concerning the Liahona.</p><p>How might Alma have gained such insight into all those things?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead, yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4.) How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the Priesthood which was conferred upon him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has become an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so much about Abel, and why should he talk about his speaking after he was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must be by being sent down out of heaven to administer. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pgs. 169)</span></p><p>Would it be beneficial to look at Alma's words concerning the Liahona, as he was giving his son Helaman charge concerning it, in order to come to an even better understanding of the Liahona and what might have been inscribed on the ball and also on each of the two spindles?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow. For as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal), they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way, for so was it with our fathers. For so was it prepared for them, that if they would look, they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look, we may live for ever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell. (Alma 37:38 - 47, NC Alma 17 pars. 15 - 17)</span></p>If I understand correctly, Alma instructed Helaman that the account of the Liahona was most beneficial for use by those after Lehi's journey as a type and a shadow of each person's ability, through faith and diligence, to heed the word of Christ in order to be led on a straight course beyond our present vale of sorrow into eternal bliss.<div><br /></div><div>What does Alma mean by heeding the words of Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>What constitutes the words of Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does Nephi declare on the subject?</div><div><br /></div><div>Following Nephi's exhortation to all to enter into the waters of baptism in order to follow the example of the Son of God in order to receive the holy ghost from the Father he poses the following questions.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> And now behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the holy ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the holy ghost? Angels speak by the power of the holy ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them, it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock. Wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the holy ghost, it will shew unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. (2 Nephi 32:1 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 14 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>As I presently understand What Nephi declares here, the words of Christ constitute that which is spoken by the power of the holy ghost. </div><div><br /></div><div>The words of the angels sent to be messengers from the Father (the ones Adam and Eve sought for in the beginning and the ones Mormon declares we must receive or else we have no faith) are spoken by the power of the holy ghost and are therefore part of the word of Christ which will guide us if heeded in faith and with all diligence beyond our vale of sorrow to eternal bliss.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declares that these words of Christ will show us (me) all things that we (I) should do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Does this miraculous guidance come about by small and simple means?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for me to be slothful and neglect my duty to, with faith, diligently heed these words of Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I need to ask myself daily if I am neglecting the words of Christ for me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the words of Christ for me might be as simple and small a thing as "Go help your neighbor?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the words of Christ for me might also be as simple and small a thing as "Go apologize to your child or to your wife?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the words of Christ to me have much to do with my relationships with other folks?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't such small and simple directions, if heeded diligently by me, achieve marvelous and miraculous works and have the effect of leading me in a straight course beyond this vale of sorrow?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hugh Nibley pointed out some things Alma declared concerning the Liahona.</div><div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">1) The Liahona was a gift of God, the manner of its delivery causing great astonishment.<br /><br />2) It was neither mechanical nor self-operating, but worked solely by the power of God.<br /><br />3) It functioned only in response to the faith, diligence, and heed of those who followed it.<br /><br />4) And yet there was something ordinary and familiar about it. The thing itself was the "small means” through which God worked; it was not a mysterious or untouchable object but strictly a “temporal thing.” It was so ordinary that the constant tendency of Lehi’s people was to take it for granted—in fact, they spent most of their time ignoring it: hence, according to Alma, their needless, years-long wanderings in the desert.<br /><br />5) The working parts of the device were two spindles or pointers.<br /><br />6) On these a special writing would appear from time to time, clarifying and amplifying the message of the pointers.<br /><br />7) The specific purpose of the traversing indicators was “to point the way they should go.”<br /><br />8) The two pointers were mounted in a brass sphere whose marvelous workmanship excited great wonder and admiration. Special instructions sometimes appeared on this ball.<br /><br />9) The device was referred to descriptively as a ball, functionally as a director, and in both senses as a “compass,” or Liahona.<br /><br />10) On occasion, it saved Lehi’s people from perishing by land and sea—“. . . if they would look they might live.” (Alma 37:46.)<br /><br />11) It was preserved “for a wise purpose” (Alma 37:2, 14, 18) long after it had ceased to function, having been prepared specifically to guide Lehi’s party to the promised land. (Idem, vv. 39 f.) It was a “type and shadow” of man’s relationship to God during his earthly journey.<br /><br />We should not pass by Alma’s description without noting a most remarkable peculiarity of verses 40 and 41. (chap. 37.) Let us read these verses without punctuation, as the ancients did:<br /><br />“. . . therefore they had this miracle and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God day by day nevertheless because those miracles were worked by small means nevertheless it did shew unto them marvellous works they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvellous works ceased.”<br /><br />The meaning is perfectly clear: though Lehi’s people enjoyed daily demonstrations of God’s power, the device by which that power operated seems so ordinary (Alma includes it among “small and simple things . . . very small means . . w. 6-7) that in spite of the “marvellous works” it showed them they tended to neglect it. We could punctuate the passage accordingly:<br /><br />“Therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means (albeit it did show unto them marvellous works), they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence. . . .” ("The Liahona's Cousins," Hugh Nibley, <u>The Improvement Era</u>, Vol. 64, No. 2 (February 1961), pp. 87 - 89, 104 - 111)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Wouldn't the words of Christ to me, if heeded, demonstrate God's power to me and work many miracles by the power of God day by day in my life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do the words of Christ seem so ordinary to me that I neglect them?</div><div><br /></div><div>What curious workmanship is used to construct those words of Christ for me? </div><div><br /></div><div>They are not magic words but they work in my life, by the power of God, to lead me so that if I look on them I may live.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-12106583601860315852022-05-01T11:42:00.000-07:002022-05-01T11:42:21.910-07:00Blessed of the Lord Exceedingly<p> 1 Nephi 16:7 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 2</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife, and also my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife, and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. And also I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 2</p><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nefi, took one of the daughters of Yishma’el to wife, and also my brothers took of the daughters of Yishma’el to wife, and also Tzuram took the eldest daughter of Yishma’el to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled all the mitzvot of yhwh which had been given unto him. And also I, Nefi, had been blessed of yhwh exceedingly.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the second time that Nephi mentions specifically that his father, Lehi, "had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him."</div><div><br /></div><div>The first time Nephi declared this was here.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. And we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded us and searched them and found that they were desirable, yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us as we journeyed in the wilderness toward the land of promise. (1 Nephi 5:20 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 23)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>These statements come after specific events that pertain to their unique situation in life.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first commandment, we know from the record, was necessary in order for Lehi's children and further descendants to be able to know the words and mysteries of God.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days. And it came to pass that he had three sons, and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding, and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord. And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, saying, My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. For it were not possible that our father Lehi could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates. For he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians, therefore he could read these engravings and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God even down to this present time. I say unto you my sons, were it not for these things which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief. And we should have been like unto our brethren the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers which are not correct. O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now; and they are true. And we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby. And I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers. And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book. (Mosiah 1:1 - 8, NC Mosiah 1 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Now we see that following the marriage of Lehi's children and Zoram to Ishmael's children another commandment has been kept that is unique to their life circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I would that ye might know that after my father Lehi had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone, but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren should again return into the land of Jerusalem and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again with my brethren go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael and also his whole household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father. (1 Nephi 7:1 - 5, NC 1 Nephi 2 par.2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As an aside, it is interesting to me that many have used the words of Jacob to the Nephites that he, Jacob, declared from the Lord to permit polygamous relationships at certain points and times.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people. Otherwise, they shall hearken unto these things: for behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts. For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction. For they shall not commit whoredoms like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts. (Jacob 2:30 - 33, NC Jacob 1 par. 8)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it interesting that as the Lord is commanding Lehi to persuade Ishmael and his family to come on board so that Lehi and Ishmael's families may "raise up seed unto the Lord", there is absolutely no mention of polygamy?</div><div><br /></div><div>They are about to begin an entirely new nation in a land far away where they will be alone and even with this reality there is no command from the Lord for Lehi to provide multiple wives for Nephi and his brothers in order to populate this new nation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this something that ought to be considered?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Jacob was pointing out that the Lord has never commanded anyone to have multiple wives in order to raise up seed unto Him; or in other words "If this is what the Lord wanted He would command it" with the obvious conclusion from scripture being that the Lord had never in the history of the world commanded anyone to practice polygamy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we wrest the scriptures to our own condemnation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should we repent of wresting the Lord's words through Jacob?</div><div><br /></div><div>If we are wresting Jacob's words then isn't the act of polygamy adultery no matter the situation?</div><div><br /></div><div>If polygamy is adultery in the eyes of God then isn't it committing adultery in our hearts to consider that one day we will live polygamously?</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the post.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I look at this pattern in the Book of Mormon can I come to understand how God will work with me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I look at the record of the Book of Mormon as a record of "<u><b>how</b></u> great things the Lord has done"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is God willing to give me commandments that pertain to my own unique life situation?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I receive such commandments?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that one of the reasons Nephi spoke to his brothers about inquiring of the Lord and not hardening their hearts is because he understands that it is only through an association with the Lord that his brothers can receive commandments that are unique to their life situations?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that this idea of commandments unique to each persons unique life situations is related to what the Lord declared here through the Prophet Joseph concerning those who will eventually dwell in Zion?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, blessed, says the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments, for they that live shall inherit the earth, and they that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them. And they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them. Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in her strength. And they also shall be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time, they that are faithful and diligent before me. (D&C 59:1 - 4, T&C 46 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be said of any individual who is blessed with commandments not a few that pertain to their unique life circumstances that they are blessed to be a part of the kingdom of God because God, the King, is actively speaking to them and commanding them?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the heavens are brass to me personally is that an indication that I find myself presently outside the kingdom of God because He, the King, is not communicating with me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this pattern pointed out by Nephi further demonstrated in the life of Abraham?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed. (Abraham 1:1 - 4, T&C 145, Abraham 1 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Was Abraham blessed with commandments not a few from God throughout his life that were specific to Abraham's unique life circumstances?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Abraham was not content with knowledge. He wanted to obtain greater knowledge. The<br />purpose of pursuing knowledge was to receive and obey commandments. Greater knowledge<br />facilitates greater obedience. Knowledge is not the goal, it is the desirable effect that knowledge has<br />on the heart and mind of a righteous soul. ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, March 2021, pg. 36)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Do we have further assurance of this pattern Nephi is pointing out; that of keeping the commandments of God given for our unique circumstances?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">From these few scriptures, we learn Enoch, Moses, the Brother of Jared, and Abraham learned<br />or experienced:</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />-knowledge about the spirits God created<br />-things not visible to the eye of mankind<br />-all the doings of mankind<br />-beholding eternity<br />-the creation of this world and the end thereof<br />-all the inhabitants of the world, past, present and future<br />-all things.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Others had many “mysteries” revealed to them. Remember that, “Knowledge of the mysteries of godliness is obtained only through obedience to God.” That is why Abraham’s desire to get additional knowledge was so he could receive instructions and keep God’s commandments. Obedience earns more knowledge, and more knowledge requires greater obedience. They move together in one eternal round.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />In one sense, the religion of the fathers is based on a direct connection to God. Reduced to one thought, it is that as long as God is speaking directly to a body of people, giving them commandments, they have the most essential element of the religion of the fathers. If they remain true to that connection all things can be restored to them. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The last days people of Zion will have more revelation, and consequently more commandments than others. Disobedient souls, who refuse to obey God’s commandments, have no interest in Zion. Likewise, they have no opportunity for seeing Zion, because it is only possible through receiving commandments and obeying them. This has been explained in modern scripture:</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my<br />gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall<br />bring forth in her strength. And they also shall be crowned with blessings from<br />above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time,<br />they that are faithful and diligent before me.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />This is a critical part of Christ’s gospel. Any body of saints in any age of the world must obtain<br />the Lord’s commandments addressed to them to be saved. Commandments given to others belong to them, and only commandments God gives to us belong to us. Joseph Smith explained this matter,<br />after referring to the New Testament:</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients for they are not our property, merely because they were made to the ancient Saints, yet if we are the children of the Most High, and are called with the same calling with which they were called, and embrace the same covenant that they embraced, and are faithful to the testimony of our Lord as they were, we can approach the Father, in the name of Christ as they approached Him, and for ourselves obtain the same promises. These promises, when obtained, if ever by us, will not be because Peter, John, and the other Apostles … walked in the fear of God and had power and faith to prevail and obtain them; but it will be because we, ourselves, have faith and approach God in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, even as they did; and when these promises are obtained, they will be promises directly to us, or they will do us no good. They will be communicated for our benefit, being our own property (through the gift of God), earned by our own diligence in keeping His commandments, and walking uprightly before Him. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />This is affirmed in our scriptures:</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />I admit that by reading the scriptures, of truth, the saints in the days of Paul could learn, beyond the power of contradiction, that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had the promise of eternal life confirmed to them by an oath of the Lord; but that promise or oath was no assurance to them of their salvation, but they could, by walking in the footsteps and continuing in the faith of their fathers, obtain for themselves an oath for confirmation that they were meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light.<br />If the saints in the days of the apostles were privileged to take the ancients for examples, and lay hold of the same promises, and attain to the same exalted privilege of knowing that their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that they were sealed there as a perpetual memorial before the face of the Most High, will not the same faithfulness, the same purity of heart and the same faith bring the same assurance of eternal life, and that in the same manner, to the children of men now in this age of the world?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />I have no doubt but that the holy prophets and apostles and saints in ancient days were saved in the kingdom of God; neither do I doubt but that they held converse and communion with him while they were in the flesh, as Paul said to his Corinthian brethren that the Lord Jesus showed himself to above five hundred saints at one time after his resurrection. Job said that he knew that his Redeemer lived and that he should see him in the flesh in the latter days. I may believe that Enoch walked with God and by faith was translated. I may believe that Noah was a perfect man in his generation and also walked with God. I may believe that Abraham communed with God and conversed with angels. I may believe that Isaac obtained a renewal of the covenant made to Abraham by the direct voice of the Lord. I may believe that Jacob conversed with holy angels, and heard the voice of his Maker, that he wrestled with<br />the angel until he prevailed and obtained the blessing. I may believe that Elijah was taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire with fiery horses. I may believe that the saints saw the Lord and conversed with him face to face after his resurrection. I may believe that the Hebrew church came to Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. I may<br />believe that they looked into eternity and saw the Judge of all, and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. But will all this purchase an assurance for me, and waft me to the regions of eternal day, and seat me down in the presence of the King of kings with my garments spotless, pure, and white?<br />Or must I not rather obtain for myself, by my own faith and diligence in keeping the commandments of the Lord, an assurance of salvation for myself? And have I not an equal privilege with the ancient saints? And will not the Lord hear my prayers and listen to my cries as soon as he ever did to theirs, if I come to him in the manner they did? ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, March 2021, pgs. 41 - 43)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is Nephi pointing out, for our benefit, that this is the pattern that must be followed for anyone to receive what God is willing to give freely to all who will approach Him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I expect that if I approach God this is the pattern I must follow to arrive?</div><div><br /></div><div>What if in my unique life circumstances my circle of influence is only family and a few friends and neighbors; can those limited life circumstances afford me the necessary opportunities to be blessed with commandments not a few and be obedient to those commandments just like Nephi?</div><div><br /></div><div>How big was Nephi's circle of influence during his life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who did Nephi associate with while he was blessed with and obeyed commandments not a few?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did Nephi mean when he declared here that he had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this statement related to what we have been discussing above in this post?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Nephi referring to being <span style="color: #2b00fe;">crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did Nephi's assertion that he had been exceedingly blessed of the Lord mean that his life was conflict free, trouble free, etc.?</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did Nephi recognize the the Lord had exceedingly blessed him in spite of the physical problems he faced in life?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wisdom literature is about mature faith, where disappointments and difficulties are accepted and anger against God for life's setbacks is exposed as foolishness. Wisdom literature teaches about enduring, patient, determined, and resilient faith. Job's friends mistook his suffering with divine disfavor. One of the major themes is faithfulness through adversity and trials.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The first verse of the Book of Mormon echoes with Wisdom. It contains a profound lesson learned over a lifetime. Nephi explained: Having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days (1 Nephi 1:1 RE). He saw many afflictions. He was highly favored of the Lord in all his days, including those in which the affliction was visited on him.<br />How can one suffer many afflictions and be highly favored of the Lord? Wisdom literature would suggest that perhaps they are related to one another. Do those who are highly favored need to encounter afflictions to understand God's grace and favor toward them? That is a Wisdom theme.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />When we say life should be easier, we are foolish. We're not wise. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In his final blessing to his son Helaman, Alma says something similar: I...know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions (Alma 17:1 RE). Trusting God does not remove life's trials. Trusting God will not keep afflictions from you. Trusting God will not prevent troubles in your life. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon explains a mature form of faith in God: resilient in the face of difficulty, enduring in the day of trouble, comforting in the moment of affliction. The faith of the Book of Mormon writers is not superficial, conditional, and weak. It bears up under trial; it is proven in troubles; it accompanies during afflictions. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon is, among other things, a Wisdom text. What if trials, afflictions, and troubles are not negative? What if they are gifts provided as an opportunity to prove us therewith so that we and God may show what is in our heart? </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Job asks: Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:3 RE). Christ taught: In this world there are difficult trials to be faced by my followers, but those who remain devoted will, like me, finish the path and experience the fullness of joy (Testimony of St. John 10:29 RE). ("Signs Follow Faith," Denver Snuffer, March 2019, pgs. 1 - 2)</span><div><br /></div><div>Is being blessed exceedingly related to prospering in the land?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said, If ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land, but if ye keep not his commandments, ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. (Alma 37:13 - 14, NC Alma 17 par. 9)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I or we are not blessed with unique commandments not a few from God for our individual life experiences can we truly state that we enjoy the presence of God?</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>If we are cut off so that we do not hear the voice of the King giving us commandments unique to us for our individual life experiences are we prospering in the land according to Alma?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I move forward along the path I am blessed with commandments not a few for myself and I begin to be obedient to those commandments can I expect that I will pass through many life experiences that will test my resolve to remain faithful and to continue?</div><div><br /></div><div>The people of Ammon connected with God and were blessed with commandments not a few unique to their circumstances and further covenanted with God not to lift a weapon of war against anyone even to defend themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>How far did God go with them in testing their resolve to remain faithful?</div><div><br /></div><div>How far did God go with Abraham in testing his resolve to keep those commandments unique to him?</div><div><br /></div><div>How far did God go with Nephi in testing his resolve?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this the only way mature faith, as mentioned above, is acquired?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Having treated, in the preceding lectures, of the ideas of the character, perfections, and attributes of God, we next proceed to treat of the knowledge which persons must have that the course of life which they pursue is according to the will of God, in order that they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This knowledge supplies an important place in revealed religion, for it was by reason of it that the ancients were enabled to endure as seeing him who is invisible. An actual knowledge to any person that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God, without which no person can obtain eternal life. It was this that enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions and to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing (not believing merely) that they had a more enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34 [Heb. 1:34].</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Having the assurance that they were pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God, they were enabled to take not only the spoiling of their goods and the wasting of their substance joyfully, but also to suffer death in its most horrid forms, knowing (not merely believing) that when this earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 [2 Cor. 1:15].</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Such was and always will be the situation of the saints of God: that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint, for such has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and unadulterated religion of Heaven (the only thing which ensures eternal life), that they will persecute to the uttermost all that worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of Heaven, and of their having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in him necessary for them to overcome the world and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual knowledge, realizing that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into Eternal rest and be a partaker of the glory of God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For unless a person does know that he is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an insult to the dignity of the Creator were he to say that he would be a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him. (T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6th, pars. 1 - 8)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If any of this, which is my present understanding of Nephi's statement, is correct then Nephi is declaring a critically important principle here in the record of <b><u>how</u></b> great things the Lord can do in my life or anyone's life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here he presents how anyone may come to be blessed of the Lord exceedingly.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-1752467064225442022-04-17T11:08:00.002-07:002022-05-01T08:01:18.114-07:00I Knew that I had Spoken Hard Things<p> 1 Nephi 16:1 - 6, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 1</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold, they said unto me, Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than which we are able to bear. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth, and the righteous have I justified and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day. Wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth and say, Thou speakest hard things against us. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness. Now all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 1</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had made an end of speaking to my brothers, behold, they said unto me, You have declared unto us hard things, more than which we are able to bear. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth, and the righteous have I justified and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day. Wherefore, the guilty take the truth to be hard, for it cuts them to the very center. And now my brothers, if you were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth and give heed unto it, that you might walk uprightly before Elohim, then you would not murmur because of the truth and say, You speak hard things against us. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did exhort my brothers with all diligence to keep the mitzvot of yhwh. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before yhwh, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness. Now all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called L’mu’el.</span></p><div><br /></div>Do we have in this exchange between Nephi and his brothers here, proof that Nephi has been sent from God to minister to his brothers?<div><br /></div><div>By virtue of the fact that the message Nephi is delivering causes them pain and anguish, is this an example that God, who loves all of His children on the earth, is stretching out His arm to Nephi's brothers through Nephi?<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Repentance is a critical thing. It is the message of the Book of Mormon. It is the greatest message that’s contained within the Book of Isaiah, and it is the message of all the true prophets. The thing that stirs you up to repenting is actually two things: the first thing is to awaken to your awful situation, and the second thing is to arise, and that is to connect with the source which will cure what is wrong with you because we are not self-curing. We are filled with that same shame that came to us in the beginning as a consequence of doing what we were not supposed to be doing. The greatest way in which the adversary keeps us in a state of slumber is to prevent us from looking about and becoming awakened to the awful situation in which we find ourselves. Hugh Nibley commented on more than one occasion that there is nothing quite so terrible as being awakened out of a deep sleep. No one really likes that. When it comes right down to it, unconsciousness is a very good thing, particularly when what you are looking at is what we have here. ("115: Sabbath Day," Denver Snuffer Podcast, Denversnuffer.com, June 07, 2020)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I expressed in the previous post that my inclinations about Nephi's brothers have changed. I now believe that they were knowledgeable and rational individuals, at least at first.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that it is precisely because Nephi's brothers felt rather knowledgeable about doctrine and the law of Moses that they had a difficult time with the message God was sending them through Nephi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were they being awakened to the awful situation, by Nephi's words, that the law of Moses would not save them?</div><div><br /></div><div>How cutting and hard are words that awaken us to a sense that even though we considered ourselves righteous we are really idolatrous because we do not approach God as we ought?</div><div><br /></div><div>How cutting and hard are words that declare to us that we are solely and ultimately responsible and accountable for our own connection with heaven, especially if we believe or our cultural traditions dictate that there is a physical person or a physical law or something we can merely follow and all will be well with us?</div><div><br /></div><div>How cutting and hard are words that declare to us that we have a responsibility devolving upon us personally to seek the face of the Lord to know Him (not just know of Him) here in mortality?</div><div><br /></div><div>How cutting and hard are words that expose our dire situation with respect to justice and judgment based on our present actions here in mortality?</div><div><br /></div><div>Aren't these principles contained in what Nephi declares to his brothers and to all who would become Nephites and to us as gentiles throughout the two books of Nephi in the Book of Mormon?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the wicked one who seeks to destroy our souls makes the words even more cutting and hard because he reminds of our unworthiness and fills us with shame?</div><div><br /></div><div>He is the accuser after all.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Satan is a title and means accuser, opponent, and adversary; hence, once he fell, Lucifer became, or in other words was called, Satan, because he accuses others and opposes the Father. I rebuked Peter and called him Satan because he was wrong in opposing the Father’s will for me, and Peter understood and repented. (T&C 157 par. 8)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't the wicked one work to plant the seed of doubt that being able to have a connection with heaven and being able to come face to face with the Lord is impossible?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it the wicked one who has taken away light because of tradition?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth. (D&C 93:36 - 40, T&C 93 par. 11)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Are words that awaken us to a sense of our awful situation because of our cultural and traditional beliefs words that are hard and cutting?</div><div><br /></div><div>To their credit, temporarily at least, didn't Nephi's brothers respond to this message they found hard to hear?</div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it important to notice that Nephi recorded that his brothers humbled themselves before the Lord and not before Nephi himself?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does that mean that they were being more obedient to the Lord and approaching Him or were they being more obedient to Nephi and approaching him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't there a big difference there?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Nephi ever encourage his brothers to follow him and be obedient to him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that important to see that Nephi never instructed or invited his brothers to follow him or to be obedient to him?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have other examples in the Book of Mormon of the words of God sent through His true messengers being cutting and hard to hear to peoples who had knowledge but not understanding of the things of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Abinadi?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that after Abinadi had made an end of these sayings, that he said unto them, Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? I say unto you, nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people. And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law. For they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity and slow to remember the Lord their God. Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him. But behold, I say unto you that all these things were types of things to come. (Mosiah 13: 25 - 31, NC Mosiah 8 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Why was Abinadi sent to preach repentance to a people who had knowledge of the law of Moses?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that these priests of king Noah and the people of king Noah were strict to observe all of the requirements of the law of Moses?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was the trust of the people, because of the teachings of the priests of king Noah, in a physical law to save them?</div><div><br /></div><div>Were the people of king Noah following their leaders?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead. And he did not walk in the ways of his father; for behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord; yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness. And he laid a tax of one-fifth part of all they possessed: a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass, and their iron, and a fifth part of their fatlings, and also a fifth part of all their grain. And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives, and his concubines, and also his priests, and their wives, and their concubines. Thus, he had changed the affairs of the kingdom, for he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts. Yea, and thus were they supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people. Thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity. Yea, and they also became idolatrous because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests, for they did speak flattering things unto them.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings, and he ornamented them with fine work of wood and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper. And he also built him a spacious palace and a throne in the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented with gold, and silver, and with precious things. And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass. And the seats which were sat apart for the high priests, which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure gold. And he caused a breastwork to be built before them that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people. (Mosiah 11:1 - 11, NC Mosiah 7 pars. 1 - 2)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Should we take note of any parallels that king Noah and his priests practiced polygamy and used the moneys they collected from the people to support themselves and their multiple wives, and to build elegant and spacious buildings with all manner of expensive adornments, and the seats of the priests were very comfortable and lifted up above the seats of all of the other people who came to listen to them?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it important that the Book of Mormon, for the second time here, points out the abomination it is to have multiple wives as well as concubines?</div><div><br /></div><div>What was it that Abinadi was teaching that enraged them so?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yea, even doth not Isaiah say, Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men — a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from him. He was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray — we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment. And who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death. Because he had done no evil, neither was any deceit in his mouth; yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed; he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong — because he hath poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now Abinadi said unto them, I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh, he shall be called the Son of God; and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son — the Father because he was conceived by the power of God, and the Son because of the flesh, thus becoming the Father and Son (and they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of Heaven and of earth), and thus the flesh becoming subject to the spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God — suffereth temptation and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And after all this, and after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, As a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death, giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men, having ascended into Heaven, having the bowels of mercy, being filled with compassion toward the children of men, standing betwixt them and justice, having broken the bands of death, having taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them and satisfied the demands of justice.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you that when his soul has been made an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed? Behold, I say unto you that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord, I say unto you that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you that these are his seed, or they are heirs of the kingdom of God. For these are they whose sins he hath borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed? Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy that has not fallen into transgression? (I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began.) I say unto you that they are his seed. And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation and said unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. And oh how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet. And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that art still publishing peace. And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and for ever!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And behold, I say unto you, this is not all; for oh how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings — that is, the Founder of Peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people, yea, him who hath granted salvation unto his people! For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, that all mankind must have perished. But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth and hath power over the dead; therefore he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection, yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ — for so shall he be called. And now the resurrection of all the prophets and all those that have believed in their words (or all those that have kept the commandments of God) shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God, who has redeemed them. Thus they have eternal life through Christ, who hath broken the bands of death.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And there are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these, and they have a part in the first resurrection or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children also have eternal life.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But behold, and fear, and tremble before God — for ye ought to tremble — for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins, yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have willfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God and would not keep them. These are they that have no part in the first resurrection. Therefore, had ye not ought to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such, for the Lord hath redeemed none such. Yea, neither can the Lord redeem such, for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it hath its claim. (Mosiah 14:1 - 15:27, NC Mosiah 8 pars. 3 - 11)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is Abinadi teaching the priests of king Noah concerning mercy, justice, and judgement here?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would the priests of Noah be able to know Christ themselves and be able to believe on Him if they did not have a connection to heaven?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do the teachings of Abinadi take away the craft of the priests of Noah (their livelihood)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do Abinadi's words condemn the practices of king Noah and the priests in what they are doing with the moneys they have collected from the people by pointing out that salvation does not come from such things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do the words of Abinadi to the priests of Noah mirror Nephi's words to his brothers?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth, and the righteous have I justified and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day. Wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth and say, Thou speakest hard things against us.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Why would the Lord want those He has sent to preach concerning justice, judgement, and mercy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there any other heavenly knowledge besides justice, judgement, and mercy that can be communicated mortal to mortal?<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">All men know that they must die. And it is important that we should understand the reasons and causes of our exposure to the vicissitudes of life and of death, and the designs and purposes of God in our coming into the world, our sufferings here, and our departure hence. What is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away, to be here no more? It is but reasonable to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject. Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject...<br />The Hebrew Church “came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all,11 and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.” What did they learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? Is it written? No. What they learned has not been and could not have been written. What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just? It was the established order of the kingdom of God: The keys of power and knowledge were with them to communicate to the Saints. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 342 - 325)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Does this give us greater understanding of why Jacob declared these words here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments and I shake them before you. I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye. Wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him and am rid of your blood. O my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins. Shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast. Come unto that God who is the Rock of your salvation. Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear, that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness and be constrained to exclaim, Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty, but I know my guilt. I transgressed thy law and my transgressions are mine; and the Devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery. But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you, according to the plainness of the truth, if ye were freed from sin? Behold, if ye were holy, I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.(2 Nephi 9:44 - 48, NC 2 Nephi 6 par. 12)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there a pattern demonstrated throughout the Book of Mormon that those who are truly "sent" by God with His words preach justice, judgement, and mercy (repentance) so that those who God is stretching His arm out to have the opportunity to repent?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that there is really only one event in the Book of Mormon record where someone imparted heavenly things to mortals; when Christ came to the Nephites following His resurrection.</div><div><br /></div><div>By then He was a resurrected being and those who were there had individually obtained faith in Him previous to Him imparting heavenly things to them.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to repent really?<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In another place Joseph said: "A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will<br />have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it<br />needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God." (TPJS, p. 217)<br />We equate in large measure, repentance, with whatever it is you're doing with your genitals. <br />Joseph equates redemption and repentance with whatever it is you're doing with your heart and with your mind. The problem we must overcome to obtain salvation is our profound ignorance. And what the gospel offers defies ignorance, subdues it, challenges it, destroys it, and leaves it in the dark. So let's try and search into, and obtain some illumination. ("Be of Good Cheer," Forty Years in Mormonism, Denver Snuffer, 10 September 2013, pg. 3)</span></div><div><br /><div>When Nephi and Lehi were imprisoned and an army of Lamanites and dissenters came to kill them, did Nephi and Lehi preach anything to those in the prison or were those in the prison required to obtain a connection with heaven themselves?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins, and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done. And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak; and they also had what they should speak given unto them. Therefore, they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites, who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about, baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the land of Nephi. And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison, yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi. And after they had been cast into prison many days without food, behold, they went forth into the prison to take them, that they might slay them. And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned. And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage, for they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them, neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying, Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shewn unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us. And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites, and Nephites who were dissenters. And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them. And it came to pass that there came a voice, as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying, Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass when they heard this voice and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul — and notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold, the earth shook exceedingly. And the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold, the cloud of darkness which had overshadowed them did not disperse. And behold, the voice came again, saying, Repent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled; and also again the third time the voice came and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man. And the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also, they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them. Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them. And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift up their eyes to Heaven, and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi. And they said unto the man, Behold, what do all these things mean? And who is it with whom these men do converse? Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them, They do converse with the angels of God. And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him, What shall we do that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? And Aminadab said unto them, You must repent and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, which was taught unto you by Alma and Amulek, and by Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shook the earth, yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, and behold, they saw that they were encircled about (yea, every soul) by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them, yea, they were encircled about, yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the holy spirit of God did come down from Heaven and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. (Helaman 5:17 - 41, NC Helaman 2 pars. 19 - 24)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see here any time that Nephi and Lehi did anything but preach repentance (justice, judgement, and mercy)?</div><div><br /></div><div>How did those who were in the prison finally come to be able to speak forth marvelous words and be ministered to by angels?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was it Nephi and Lehi who provided this to them or was it their own individual faith in Christ from crying to the voice they had heard?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was there a responsibility for those in the prison with Nephi and Lehi to individually connect with heaven?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could they have received what they received by following Nephi and Lehi or by being obedient to Nephi and Lehi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this Book of Mormon pattern clear?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it hard and cutting to read these words that show us plainly that we must consider ourselves fools as far as our doctrinal knowledge, cultural, religious, and familial traditions, and life experiences go and cast these things off in order to exercise faith in Christ and obtain an individual connection with heaven ourselves?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be important for us to seriously consider the pattern that permeates the Book of Mormon where real servants of God speak hard things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is that one measure for knowing if someone really is "sent" from God with His message or if someone is on their own mission of their own will?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this one reason that the Prophet Joseph declared the following?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves “in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,” and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 206)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Nephi likes to step on our toes and give us a lot to think about.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-18727264363050539492022-04-03T16:07:00.001-07:002022-04-03T16:07:48.533-07:00A Representation of Things Both Temporal and Spiritual<p> 1 Nephi 15:31 - 36, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 6</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And they said unto me, Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation? Or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body? Or doth it speak of the things which are temporal? And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off also as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining unto righteousness. Wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God to be judged of their works. And if their works have been filthiness, they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy, it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God — if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. But behold, I say unto you that the kingdom of God is not filthy, that there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore, there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the Devil is the foundation of it. Wherefore, the final state of the souls of man is to dwell in the kingdom of God or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are separated from the righteous, and also from that tree of life whose fruit is most precious and most desirable of all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 6</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And they said unto me, Does this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation? Or does it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body? Or does it speak of the things which are temporal? And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yes, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off also as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining unto righteousness. Wherefore, they must be brought to stand before Elohim to be judged of their works. And if their works have been tum’ah, they must necessarily be unclean; and if they be unclean, it must necessarily be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of Elohim — if so, the kingdom of Elohim must be unclean also. But behold, I say unto you that the kingdom of Elohim is not unclean, that there cannot any tamé thing enter into the kingdom of Elohim; wherefore, there must necessarily be a place of tum’ah prepared for that which is unclean. And there is a place prepared, yes, even that awful Gehinnom of which I have spoken, and HaSatan is the foundation of it. Wherefore, the final state of the souls of man is to dwell in the kingdom of Elohim or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are separated from the righteous, and also from that tree of life whose fruit is most precious and most desirable of all other fruits; yes, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of Elohim. And thus I spoke unto my brothers. Amen.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>As I presently understand it, Nephi is continuing his discussion of judgement and mercy and justice with his brothers by answering their query about the context of when the symbols in the vision will apply to individuals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it interesting that Nephi stated that his brothers used the phrases, "body in the days of probation", "the final state of the soul", and "the death of the temporal body"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this show that Nephi's brothers possessed an understanding of things at that time, things that were restored to our knowledge through the Prophet Joseph?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now, verily I say unto you that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body is the soul of man, and the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul, and the redemption of the soul is through him who quickens all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the Celestial glory, for after it has filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father, that bodies who are of the Celestial Kingdom may possess it for ever and ever. For, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified. (D&C 88:14 - 20, T&C 86 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that part of the reason they were asking these questions is that they understood that, following the resurrection, they would be souls; a spirit with a body?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this further evidenced by their reference to "the death of the temporal body" and this "body in the days of probation"?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided, thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption. (Alma 11:45, NC Alma 8 par. 17)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the question Nephi's brothers ask could be interpreted as follows?</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Is this mercy, judgement, justice and hell you are speaking of something that is merited and experienced here in this mortal, probationary life or something that pertains to each soul after the resurrection? Is this something that continues on and on or is it temporary?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible they understood the following concept revealed by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now behold, I say unto you, never at any time have I declared from my own mouth that they should return, for where I am they cannot come, for they have no power. But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men, and as the words have gone forth out of my mouth, even so shall they be fulfilled, that the first shall be last and that the last shall be first, in all things whatever I have created by the word of my power, which is the power of my spirit. For by the power of my spirit created I them, yea, all things both spiritual and temporal, firstly spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work. And again, firstly temporal and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work, speaking unto you that you may naturally understand, but unto myself, my work has no end neither beginning; but it is given unto you that you may understand, because you have asked it of me and are agreed. (D&C 29:29 - 33, T&C 9 par. 9)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The reason I ask such questions is because I wonder if Nephi is pointing out that his brothers possessed what we might consider lofty doctrinal knowledge but it did not bring them understanding of God's mercy, justice, judgement, and hell.</div><div><br /></div><div>If that is the case, then should I consider myself wise or good because I possess what I might consider lofty doctrinal knowledge?</div><div><br /></div><div>Suppose, for arguments sake, that I do possess such lofty knowledge, can I have a proper understanding of things based on that knowledge alone?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following.<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...it is not the depth of your study that matters, but the quality of your connection with heaven that matters. Expounding doctrine is not only insufficient, it is oftentimes a distraction from what matters. We go from unbelief to belief when we learn truth. Not every source, including institutional sources, can be trusted to tell you the truth. Only the light of Christ, followed by the Holy Ghost is a reliable guide to distinguish between unbelief and belief. We go from belief to faith as we take action consistent with belief in truth. Faith is a principle of power. It will lead you to receive angels who still minister to those of a sound mind, not given to flights of fantasy or unstable behavior (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.30?lang=eng#29">Moroni 7: 30</a>). We are brought from faith to knowledge as angels prepare us through their ministry. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.31?lang=eng#30">Moroni 7: 31</a>; <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.25?lang=eng#24">Moroni 7: 25</a>; <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.23?lang=eng#22">Alma 32: 23</a>.) Knowledge comes from contact with Jesus Christ. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/3.19?lang=eng#18">Ether 3: 19</a>.) This is the knowledge that saves, and nothing else. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17.3?lang=eng#2">John 17: 3</a>.) The idea that knowledge of Christ through His personal appearance to you is now unavailable is an old sectarian notion and is false. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.23?lang=eng">John 14: 23</a>; <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130.3?lang=eng#2">D&C 130: 3</a>.) ("The Whole Not the Parts," Denversnuffer,com, December 28, 2011)</span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Do we see in this account that there is a very big difference in the quality of connection with heaven that Nephi has and the quality or rather the lack of quality of connection Nephi's brothers have with heaven?</div><div><br /></div><div>Has Nephi come into contact with Jesus Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't it appear from the phrasing of their question that Nephi's brothers clearly know something about the revelations concerning the spiritual and temporal creations?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that they focused on such things and were therefore distracted from what really matters?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Even if they possess such lofty doctrinal knowledge, have Nephi's brothers come into contact with Jesus Christ?</div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">That is the purpose of the Gospel - to give you knowledge. Therefore the way to get knowledge is to</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">repent. It is to search into, lay hold upon, and obtain for yourself knowledge that saves. Not mere theory. Not mere recitations of these symbols in the temple endowment. We are not enlightened merely because we understand some symbol in the temple represents these eight items. ‘This symbol represents this, and this stands for that’ is NOT what we must seek. Trivia is not light and truth. Light and truth will exalt you. Trivia can make you prideful. (40 Years in Mormonism Series, "#3 Repentance," Denver Snuffer, pg. 61)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I don't ask these things to heap judgment on Nephi's brothers.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the past I had envisioned Nephi's brothers as uneducated, stupid, ignorant, lunk heads who were too unintelligent to understand scriptures and other things. Therefore I believed that I was in a more enlightened and understanding place and not subject to the same pitfalls they fell into.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm beginning to believe that Nephi is showing me that I am in the very same situation as his brothers. I now believe that they were rational individuals who had scriptural knowledge. </div><div><br /></div><div>That means for me that if I consider myself to be a rational individual with some scriptural knowledge then I had better watch myself and repent because I am probably close to being on the very same plane if not on the same plane as Nephi's brothers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shouldn't this realization cause me to repent?</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope it does.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shouldn't I be focused on the quality of my personal connection with heaven over all things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, what is the knowledge that will save me or anyone else for that matter?<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Joseph remarked that “A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world.” (TPJS p. 217.) The meaning of “knowledge” is, of course, the key to that statement. For the only “knowledge” which can save is to “know God” for yourself. (See, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17.3?lang=eng#2">John 17: 3</a>;<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132.24?lang=eng#23"> D&C 132: 24</a>.) The means of knowing this God is, of course, revelation and His personal ministry. His personal ministry will bring the faithful to the Father, as well. Both the Son and the Father will take their abode with you. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.18?lang=eng#17">John 14: 18</a>, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.23?lang=eng#22">23</a>.) This is the knowledge that saves. ("Borrowed Doctrine," Denversnuffer.com, October 29, 2011)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>We are the beneficiaries here of a conversation between a person who has come to receive true knowledge, that knowledge that saves, and those who possess doctrinal knowledge but are asking about principles that they can't understand with their doctrinal knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div>That begs another question. Is it possible to truly understand the Godly principles of mercy, justice, judgment, and hell without coming to receive a true knowledge, one that saves an individual?</div><div><br /></div><div>As Nephi explains that the symbols in their father Lehi's dream pertain to both the temporal and the spiritual, he declares the following.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>How does Nephi's statement above square with Nephi's statement here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children and also our brethren to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all that we can do. And notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ until the law shall be fulfilled; for, for this end was the law given. Wherefore, the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak concerning the law, that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given; and after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away. (2 Nephi 25:23 - 27, NC 2 Nephi 11 par. 8)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Doesn't Nephi declare here that even after all that we can do (i.e. no matter what we do in works) it is by grace that we are saved?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wasn't the Law of Moses a law of works?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't Nephi declaring here that they teach their children that salvation is through grace from Jesus Christ and not from their works in complying faithfully with the Law of Moses?</div><div><br /></div><div>How is it that we are saved by the grace that comes to us from Jesus Christ but yet we are judged according to our works in this temporal body in the days of our probation?</div><div><br /></div><div>I happen to agree with the answer to the following question.<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Do you think you are saved by grace or works?<br />It is by grace we do the required works to be saved. As explained in Philip. 2:13: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure.” As Paul explained in Romans 6:1-2 concerning those who are born again through Christ: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” We must escape sin by the grace of God and then do the works that testify we are in possession of God’s grace. As James explained in James 2:17-20: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But will thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” If we are saved by the grace of God our works will testify of that grace within us. Without the works of righteousness, put within us by being born again, a new creation of Christ’s, we may claim to have been saved by grace, but it is without proof.("Addressing Christians," Denversnuffer.com, November 10, 2016)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>My present understanding is that if I have received Christ's grace in order to save me my works will testify or be proof of my personal possession of His grace.</div><div><br /></div><div>Will my works be godly works if I am in possession of His saving grace?</div><div><br /></div><div>Has Christ pointed out what godly works a person will perform if they are in possession of His saving grace?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe so.</div><div><br /></div><div>I presently believe that Christ's Sermon on the Mount and His Sermon to the Nephites at Bountiful contains instructions for anyone who has tasted of His grace concerning the manner of "works" they should perform among their fellowmen.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.<br />And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.<br />And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.<br />And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the holy ghost.<br />And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.<br />And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.<br />And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.<br />And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. And blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, for ye shall have great joy and be exceeding glad, for great shall be your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. (3 Nephi 12:3 - 12, NC 3 Nephi 5 pars. 12 - 19)</span><div><br /></div><div>King Benjamin also clarifies what must be undertaken in earnest for an individual to retain the grace of Christ or as King Benjamin terms it, a remission of their sins.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you — that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God — I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants... this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember and perish not. (Mosiah 4:26 - 30, NC Mosiah 2 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that these are godly works that testify that an individual is in possession of the Lord's grace. These are works of righteousness that are performed imperfectly by flawed individuals existing in this temporal probationary experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>How big was Nephi's circle of influence?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Nephi able to manifest these godly works in his limited circle of influence among his family?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should that be instructive for me personally?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that every individual on the earth is placed in a position with family, friends, and neighbors where they may manifest these godly works day by day.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have discussed before that we need to be informed of the negative consequences of our actions in life because we are not sufficiently motivated by the promises the Lord gives to those who work righteousness so lets look at Nephi's words here concerning the other hand.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off also as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining unto righteousness.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What does it mean to be wicked?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is a definition of the term "wicked" found in the glossary of gospel terms<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">At His return, the Lord intends to destroy the wicked. Included in the “wicked” are those who are telestial and, therefore, cannot endure His presence. These are those who worship men instead of God; they reject a true prophet when one is sent to them; they are liars, adulterers, whoremongers, and all who love and make lies (see T&C 69:27). These are those who have taken our Lord’s name in vain, having not authority (see T&C 50:14), and all those who have preached for hire and practiced priestcraft (see 2 Nephi 11:17). It was because of priestcraft that the Jews could not recognize Christ, and therefore they rejected and killed Him (see 2 Nephi 7:1). The false priests always rail against the true ones. In the last days, false prophets will outnumber the true ones (see Mark 6:4). Zion will require that all this wickedness comes to an end.</span><br /><br />Do the above items liars, adulterers, whoremongers, etc. pertain to a person's nature?</div><div><br /></div><div>To rephrase the question, does the above definition spell out character traits or what a person, through their actions, has become as far as their nature is concerned?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could we say concerning the enemy of all righteousness that it is in his nature to lie?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is wickedness different than sin?</div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be said that wickedness is the root of all sin?</div><div><br /></div><div>How does this relate to the following?<br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A violation of a commandment. The sins that offend God are not the errors, weaknesses, and foolishness of the past. He is offended when one is forgiven by Him and then returns to the same sin. That shows a lack of gratitude for His forgiveness. Even then, however, there are addictions, compulsions, and weaknesses that people sometimes struggle with for years, even decades. “When the sin is due to some difficulty based on biology, physiology or an inherent weakness that we fight for years to overcome, then His patience with us is far greater than our own. He will help in the fight. He will walk alongside you as you fight. He does not expect you to run faster than you have strength. When, because of age or infirmity, a troubling weakness is at last overcome, He will readily accept your repentance and let you move forward clean, whole and forgiven. That is His ministry — to forgive and make whole.”1 The only one who can forgive sin is Christ. He requires men and women to forgive one another but will Himself determine whose sins He will forgive (see T&C 51:3). He is the only gatekeeper for forgiveness (see 2 Nephi 6:11).2 The Greek word hamartia (ἁμαρτία) defines sin as missing the mark; not hitting the target; a mistake.3 “Sin is waste. It is doing one thing when you should be doing other and better things for which you have the capacity. Hence, there are no innocent idle thoughts. That is why even the righteous must repent, constantly and progressively, since all fall short of their capacity and calling.” ("Sin", Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of terms)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that wickedness as Nephi is describing it to his brothers here has to do with what a person has become or what has become their nature or natural tendency?</div><div><br /></div><div>When Nephi declares that those who die in wickedness are cut off as to things of righteousness with regards to the spiritual life after this temporal probation is he saying to his brothers what Alma stated to the humbled portion of the Zoramites? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. Yea, behold, the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end. For after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say when ye are brought to that awful crisis that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this, for the same spirit you hearken to obey while living in the flesh shall, upon your death, have the same power to influence you to hearken unto that spirit in the next life. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance, even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the Devil and he doth seal you his. Therefore, the spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you and hath no place in you, and the Devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. And this I know because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell. Yea, and he has also said that the righteous should sit down in his kingdom to go no more out, but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb. (Alma 34:30 - 36, NC Alma 16 par. 37)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>When Alma later spoke to his son Corianton about the term "restoration" was he talking about the very same thing that everything would be restored to individuals following this probation according to what state was "natural" to them (i.e. mercy would be restored to the merciful in nature, etc.)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this why Nephi could declaratively state to his brothers <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, the wicked are separated from the righteous, and also from that tree of life whose fruit is most precious and most desirable of all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen.?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>This is very sobering to think about.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have discussed in an earlier post how unbearable it is for a filthy individual to come into the presence of a just, perfect, and holy being.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi is pointing out that that appearance before God to be judged will be one event, because those who are filthy still will shrink before God, that will divide the wicked from the righteous and from the tree of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now we see another way the wicked will be separated from the righteous.</div><div><br /></div><div>That brings me to questions that I must ask myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>What spirit do I hearken to?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is my nature?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared that the Devil is the foundation of that hell which is prepared for the wicked.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does that mean that whatever nature the Devil possesses, lying, adultery, etc. that is what hell or the kingdom of the Devil is built upon?</div><div><br /></div><div>How miserable is it to dwell in a space where everyone's nature is to lie, commit adultery, exercise priestcraft, etc.?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I were to die today would I be subject to the spirit of the Devil so that he would have power over me because I have hearkened to obey his spirit (that has become my nature)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do my actions have consequences as far as what I become or in other words what nature I am found to possess when I leave this probation?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I practice or promote the worship of men, priestcraft, taking the name of the Lord in vain having no authority and that becomes part of my nature then what can I expect to have restored to me or what spirit will I hearken to when I leave this probation?</div><div><br /></div><div>These are scary things to think about.</div><div><br /></div><div>I give thanks that Nephi was commanded by the spirit to include this discussion with his brothers. </div><div><br /></div><div>This discussion of God's mercy, justice, and judgment calls me to repentance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-15165284759166909972022-03-06T10:09:00.001-08:002022-03-06T10:09:54.567-08:00What Meaneth the River of Water?<p> 1 Nephi 15:21 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God, and that whoso would hearken unto the word of God and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things. And they said unto me, What meaneth the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separateth the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What is the meaning of this thing which our father saw in a dream? What is the meaning of the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of Elohim, and that whoever would hearken unto the word of Elohim and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of yhwh; yes, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of Elohim and remember to keep his mitzvot always, in all things. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was tum’ah; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the uncleanness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the k’doshim of Elohim. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful Gehinnom which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of Elohim did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascends up unto Elohim for ever and ever and has no end.</span> </p><p><br /></p><p>Before discussing the river of water, could I talk a little bit about the fact that Nephi, who saw the very same vision as Lehi, saw the details of a part of the vision clearly while his father did not?</p><p>Does this experience give us a glimpse as to how an individual or individuals receive visions and what they are able to interpret from said vision at the first?</p><p>If I am reading it correctly, am I correct in understanding that the angel who was with Nephi explained to Nephi what the filthiness of the river of water represented?</p><p>If the understanding of the representation of the river was given to Nephi, why wasn't it given to Lehi?</p><p>What does that tell us about heavenly messages and the information given in them?</p><p>Did the Lord take it upon himself to direct Lehi's attention or to have Lehi's attention directed to the river of water and what it meant while Lehi was having the vision?</p><p>Who was in charge of what was communicated during the vision?</p><p>Wouldn't it appear from this that Lehi was in charge of what was received?</p><p>What does that tell us about the Lord and how he imparts heavenly knowledge?</p><p>Please consider the following.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">At the time of the First Vision the Lord says to Joseph: “This is my beloved son, hear ye him.” And then you have the Father and the Son, and a pause. “No sooner had I collected myself than,” Joseph writes; he goes on and asks his question. You have the controlling power of the Universe on standby, waiting for Joseph to formulate and ask the question. That ought to tell you something.<br /><br />“What things?” Christ asks, although He clearly knows. The Lord clearly prefers a dialogue with us. He doesn’t pontificate. He talks, He communicates, He wants it to be… He insists upon prayer for a reason; He’d like to hear from you, because in the process of hearing from you, you expose something to Him and you expose something to yourself about yourself. He almost insists on treating us like we’re equals, even though clearly we’re not, and that ought to tell you something about yourself as well. All of these things are extraordinary revelations that the Lord is giving to us about whom we are and who He is. ("154:Completing God's Image, Part 1", Denver Snuffer Podcast, Denversnuffer.com, February 22, 2022)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did the Lord pontificate to Lehi while Lehi was experiencing the vision of the tree of life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the Lord respect Lehi's interests in the other parts of the vision that were not specifically tied to the river of water (i.e. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.</span>)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this show how meek our Lord is?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this show us that the Lord is intimately interested in what we are interested in?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this show us that the Lord will not condescend to tell us what questions to ask or what we should be understanding?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Lord, who is perfect, is not condescending to tell us what questions to ask and what we should understand then how should we act in any opportunity we may have to teach?</div><div><p>Should we view this as a failure on Lehi's part for not considering the filthiness of the river of water?</p><p>I would hope we don't do that.</p><p>We have looked before at the necessity of any individual who receives knowledge from heaven by revelation or vision to ponder upon and contemplate what they have received.</p><p>We have Nephi's words that he, Nephi, did just that.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> ...And upon these I write the things of my soul and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. (2 Nephi 4:13 - 16, NC 2 Nephi 3 par. 6)</span></p><p>Why the necessity for such a course?</p><p>Do those who receive revelations and visions from heaven receive instant understanding of what is given to them?</p><p>This is what the Lord recently revealed concerning what Joseph and Oliver received in the Kirtland temple.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things from the sealed record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven. They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous. And they were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen. (T&C 157 pars. 30 - 32)</span></p><p>Did Joseph and Oliver have instant understanding of the glorious things they received in vision at the temple in Kirtland?</p><p>How about Joseph Smith's first vision?</p><p>Joseph's first vision has been persistently criticized for decades because Joseph, upon recounting his vision at different times during his ministry, gave accounts of his vision that included differing details.</p><p>There are those who declare that Joseph in one account only mentioned the Lord and in another account mentioned both the Lord and the Father and in still another account mentioned the presence of many angels and therefore Joseph's accounts cannot be true. He made them all up.</p><p>Is it unreasonable to consider that at different times along the timeframe of Joseph's ministry that following deep and solemn and ponderous thought about what he had received in vision, Joseph shared an ever enlarged understanding of what he had received in the first vision?</p><p>Nephi finally put into words on the plates what he received in his glorious vision only after forty years of pondering and contemplation.</p><p>How might we have different details and a different understanding expressed by Nephi about what he had received if we had been able to inquire of him along the way during his ministry before the forty years? </p><p>Here is another contemporary example of how pondering upon the things received in vision brings greater understanding and therefore a possible inclusion of additional details that were not at first understood or focused on.</p><p>The following is contained in section 161 in the Teachings and Commandments found at <a href="http://scriptures.info">scriptures.info</a> for free. It is an account of the vision of the Lord as He suffered in Gethsemane before His crucifixion.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">All the Lord had previously done in His mortal ministry by healing the sick, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, restoring hearing to the deaf, curing the leper, and ministering relief to others as he taught was but a prelude to what the Lord was now to do on this dark, oppressive night.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />As the Lord knelt in prayer, His vicarious suffering began. He was overcome by pain and anguish. He felt within Him, not just the pains of sin, but also the illnesses men suffer as a result of the Fall and their foolish and evil choices. The suffering was long and the challenge difficult. The Lord suffered the afflictions. He was healed from the sickness. He overcame the pains, and patiently bore the infirmities until, finally, he returned to peace of mind and strength of body. It took an act of will and hope for Him to overcome the affliction which had been poured upon Him. He overcame the separation caused by these afflictions and reconciled with His Father. He was at peace with all mankind.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />He thought His sufferings were over, but to His astonishment another wave overcame Him. This one was much greater than the first. The Lord, who had been kneeling, fell forward onto His hands at the impact of the pain that was part of a greater, second wave.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />This second wave was so much greater than the first that it seemed to entirely overcome the Lord. The Lord was now stricken with physical injuries as well as spiritual affliction. As he suffered anew, His flesh was torn which he healed using the power of the charity within Him. The Lord had such life within Him, such power and virtue within Him, that although he suffered in His flesh, these injuries healed and His flesh restored. His suffering was both body and spirit, and there was anguish of thought, feeling, and soul.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The Lord overcame this second wave of suffering, and again found peace of mind and strength of body; and His heart filled with love despite what he had suffered. Indeed, it was charity or love that allowed Him to overcome. He was at peace with His Father, and with all mankind, but it required another, still greater act of will and charity than the first for Him to do so.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Again, the Lord thought His suffering was over. He stayed on His hands and knees for a moment to collect Himself when another wave of torment burst upon Him. This wave struck Him with such force he fell forward upon His face. He was afflicted by this greater wave. He was then healed, only to then be afflicted again as the waves of torment overflowed. Wave after wave poured out upon Him, with only moments between them. The Lord’s suffering progressed from a lesser to a greater portion of affliction; for as one would be overcome by Him, the next, greater affliction would then be poured out. Each wave of suffering was only preparation for the next, greater wave.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The pains of mortality, disease, injury, and infirmity, together with the sufferings of sin, transgressions, guilt of mind, and unease of soul, the horrors of recognition of the evils men had inflicted upon others, were all poured out upon Him, with confusion and perplexity multiplied upon Him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />He longed for it to be over, and thought it would end long before it finally ended. With each wave he thought it would be the last, but then another came upon Him, and then yet another.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The one beholding this scene was pained by what he saw, and begged for the vision of the Lord’s suffering to end. He could not bear to see his Lord suffering in this manner. The petition was denied and the vision did not end, for the Lord required him to witness it.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The man saw that the Lord pleaded again with the Father that “this cup may pass” from Him. But the Lord was determined to suffer the Father’s will and not His own. Therefore, a final wave came upon Him with such violence as to cut Him at every pore. It seemed for a moment that he was torn apart, and that blood came out of every pore. The Lord writhed in pain upon the ground as this great final torment was poured upon Him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />All virtue was taken from Him. All the great life force in Him was stricken and afflicted. All the light turned to darkness. He was humbled, drained, and left with nothing. It is not possible for a man to bear such pains and live, but with nothing more than will, hope in His Father, and charity toward all men, He emerged from the final wave of torment, knowing he had suffered all this for His Father and His brethren. By His hope and great charity, trusting in the Father, the Lord returned from this dark abyss and found grace again, His heart being filled with love toward the Father and all men. (T&C 161 pars. 2 - 12)</span><br /><p>Think about what the Lord revealed here.</p><p>What might one ponder upon after seeing the above event?</p><p>The account continues.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The witness reflected for many days upon this scene of the Lord’s great suffering. He read many times the account of the Lord’s agony given to Joseph Smith, which reads, Therefore I command you to repent — repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore — how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I: which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. [T&C 4:5]<br />He pondered and asked, Why were there waves of torment? Why did they increase in difficulty? How were they organized as they seemed to fit a pattern?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />After long inquiring into the things which he had seen, the Lord, who is patient and merciful and willing to instruct those who call upon Him, again appeared to the man on the 20th of December, 2007. He made known unto him that the waves of torment suffered by the Lord came in pairs which mirrored each other. The first of each wave poured upon the Lord those feelings, regrets, recriminations, and pains felt by those who injured their fellow man. Then followed a second wave, which mirrored the first, but imposed the pains suffered by the victims of the acts committed by those in the first wave. Instead of the pains of those who inflict hurt or harm, it was now the anger, bitterness, and resentments felt by those who suffered these wrongs.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />From each wave of suffering, whether as the one afflicting or as the victim of those wrongs, the Lord would overcome the evil feelings associated with these wrongs, and find His heart again filled with peace. This was why, in the vision of the suffering of the Lord, it was in the second waves that there appeared oftentimes to be injuries to His body.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The greater difficulty in these paired waves of torment was always overcoming the suffering of the victim. With these waves the Lord learned to overcome the victims’ resentments, to forgive, and to heal both body and spirit. This was more difficult than overcoming the struggles arising from the one who committed the evil. This is because the one doing evil knows he has done wrong and feels a natural regret when he sees himself aright. The victim, however, always feels it is their right to hold resentment, to judge their persecutor, and to withhold peace and love for their fellow men. The Lord was required to overcome both so that he could succor both.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />In the pairing of the waves, the first torment was of the mind and spirit, and the second was torment of mind, spirit, and body.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The Lord experienced all the horror and regret wicked men feel for their crimes when they finally see the truth. He experienced the suffering of their victims whose righteous anger and natural resentment and disappointment must also be shed, and forgiveness given, in order for them to find peace. He overcame them all. He descended below them all. He comprehends it all. And he knows how to bring peace to them all. He knows how to love others whether they are the one who has given offense or the one who is a victim of the offense.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />In the final wave, the most brutal, most evil, most heinous sins men inflict upon one another were felt by Him as a victim of the worst men can do. He knew how it felt to wrongly suffer death. He knew what it was like to be a mother holding a child in her arms as they are both killed by those who delight in their suffering. He knew how it was for ambitious men to rid themselves of a rival by conspiracy and murder. He knew what it was to have virtue robbed from the innocent. He knew betrayal, treachery, and abuse in all its worst degrading horror. There was no cruelty, no offense, no evil that mankind has suffered or will suffer that was not put upon Him.<br /><br />He knew what it is like for men to satisfy their ambition by clothing their hypocrisy in religious garb. He also felt what it was like to be the victim of religious oppression by those who pretend to practice virtue while oppressing others. He knew the hearts of those who would kill Him. Before confronting their condemnation of Him in the flesh, he suffered their torment of mind when they recognized he was the Lord, and then found peace for what they would do by rejecting Him. In this extremity there was madness itself as he mirrored the evil which would destroy Him, and learned how to come to peace with the Father after killing the Son of God, and to love all those involved without restraint and without pretense even before they did these terrible deeds. His suffering, therefore, encompassed all that has happened, all that did happen, and all that would happen in the future. (T&C 161, pars. 15 - 23)</span><p>Can we see here how it took long and solemn and ponderous thought for the witness of the Lord's suffering in Gethsemane until additional glorious understanding of the Lord's suffering was revealed to the witness by the power of the Holy Ghost?</p><p>If it were possible to know the thoughts and considerations of the witness of the vision of Gethsemane during the almost three years between the receipt of the vision concerning Gethsemane and the revelation that came almost three years later that produced the additional understanding of the Lord's suffering, what differences in the details of the vision might we observe going through the mind of the witness?</p><p>Wouldn't that be the case as well for Nephi, Lehi, Joseph and all others who have received heavenly communications?</p><p>I believe that Nephi's almost offhanded statement concerning what Lehi captured or rather didn't capture of the river of water tells us much about the Lord and His servants.</p><p>Nephi's answer here concerning the river of water, like his answer to the question of the iron rod, is also much more expansive than his answer to the question regarding the tree of life.</p><p>Should I consider that this principle of the river of filthy water then ought to be something that I take some time to understand?</p><p>Isn't this river of filthy water a negative representation?</p><p>Why would God want us to understand something that appears to be so negative?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Doctrine of Christ requires that we repent and be baptized. This is the sign He asks to demonstrate faith in Him. Faith requires action or it dwindles away and is lost.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> The importance to the Lord that we act on His Doctrine cannot be overstated. Repentance and baptism are directly related to salvation and cannot be left undone. Christ declared His Doctrine in 3 Ne. 11:32-40. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">His Doctrine came from His Father and mentions “baptism” four times. Only the first mention is positive, the three subsequent times it is negative: </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">First: “…whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Second: “And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Third: “And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Fourth: “And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This is a 3 to 1 ratio of negative warning to positive promise. I do not believe the Lord or His Father are negative. This approach is more a reflection on us than on Them. God is extraordinarily positive. But we need the clarity of being told the downside, and to be warned, because, unfortunately, a positive promise does not adequately motivate us. ("Doctrine of Christ", Denver Snuffer, Boise Idaho, September 11, 2016, pg. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Does Nephi's answer reflect on both his brothers and us because Nephi is required to give us the clarity of being told the downside of not holding fast to the rod of iron in order to arrive at the tree of life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi refers to the river as an awful gulf that separates the wicked from both the tree of life and the saints of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does this mean?</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord gave a parable during His mortal sojourn that describes the conditions created by this "gulf"</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Truly I say unto you, I will liken you unto the rich man. For there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus who was laid at his gate, full of sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried of the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise, Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed so that they who would pass from here to you cannot, neither can they pass to us that would come from there. Then he said, I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one should rise from the dead. (Luke 16:19 - 31, NC Luke 9 par. 20)</span></div><div><p>Isn't the term "gulf" used in this parable to describe an impossibly large distance, in some form, between two things such as two individuals?</p><p>In the parable the rich man asks Father Abraham to allow Lazarus to come and perform the ordinance of baptism upon him to stop his torments. (i.e. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.</span>)</p><p>Abraham declares to the rich man that there is a gulf, (divide?), which prevents anyone from Abrahams side being able to pass to the other side to minister to anyone on the side where the rich man finds himself after death. It also prevents anyone from the side where the rich man finds himself from crossing over to Father Abraham.</p><p>Is it possible that Nephi is teaching that this "gulf" (divide) makes it impossible for the wicked to partake of the tree of life (i.e. become a member of the family of God) or to be counted among the saints of God?</p><p>Nephi goes on to say, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked"</span></p><p>So if the filthy river represents both a divide and that awful hell prepared for the wicked how does it work?</p><p>How can I avoid this awful hell and the divide?</p><p>The Prophet Joseph declared the following concerning hell.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death, is to know <br />that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 310)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>and this,</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="color: #2b00fe;">A man is his own tormenter and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into</div><div style="color: #2b00fe;">the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man</div><div style="color: #2b00fe;">is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 357)</div><div style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></div><div>I believe Moroni expressed something similar to what Joseph declared in these words.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, I speak also concerning those who do not believe in Christ. Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation, behold, when the Lord shall come? Yea, even that great day when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God, then will ye say that there is no God? Then will ye longer deny the Christ? Or can ye behold the Lamb of God? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws? Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and a just God under a consciousness of your filthiness before him than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell. For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you. O then, ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord. Cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day. (Mormon 9:1 - 6, NC Mormon 4 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared that his father Lehi <span style="color: #2b00fe;">also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>This river of filthy water or in other words this gulf that separates all from God and creates a hell for those who do not rise up exists because of the justice of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that the way God is able to establish justice is to be as He is, a perfect and a just and a holy being.</div><div><br /></div><div>When an imperfect being is confronted by the presence of a perfect and a just and a holy being there wells up in them, as Moroni declared, an unquenchable fire as the imperfect being sees the stark reality of the difference between themself and the perfect, just and holy being.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just the action of being in the presence of a perfect, just, and holy being causes the imperfect being to shrink and desire to leave or be covered so as not to be in their presence any more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alma the younger gives us a glimpse of such an event.</div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I fell to the earth. And it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs. And the angel spake more things unto me which were heard by my brethren, but I did not hear them, for when I heard the words — If thou wilt, be destroyed of thyself; seek no more to destroy the church of God — I was struck with such great fear and amazement, lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the earth and I did hear no more. But I was racked with Eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell. Yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction. Yea, and in fine, so great had been my iniquities that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct, both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God to be judged of my deeds. And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul. (Alma 36:10 - 16, NC Alma 17 par. 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>In this account, who is judging Alma for his sins and iniquities?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who is it who is judging us for our misdeeds?</div><div><br /></div><div>Does God need to accuse us?</div><div><br /></div><div>The Prophet Joseph said that we are our own condemners; remember?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it a principle that when we are called to appear before a perfect and a just and a holy being that we are brought to a remembrance of all of our sins and iniquities, like Alma the younger, and that knowledge creates that awful gulf that separates us from God because we can clearly see the difference between us and God and we cannot bear to be in the presence of a just and a perfect and a holy being?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would this give us cause to look in a new way at the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And I have given unto you another law and commandment, wherefore teach it unto your children: that all men everywhere must repent or they can by no means inherit the kingdom of God; for no unclean thing can dwell there or dwell in his presence, for in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name...(Moses 6:56 - 63, OT Genesis 4 par. 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Won't this principle exist forever without end hence what Lehi saw <span style="color: #2b00fe;">that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end</span>?</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Being that I am imperfect, heavy laden with sin and iniquity, is there any way for me to escape this gulf?</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't we have examples of individuals who have been rescued from this gulf?</div><div><br /></div><div>The following are the words of Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, who with his brothers and Alma the younger initially persecuted the church of God and were full of all manner of iniquity and abominations.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state? Behold, we went forth even in wrath with mighty threatenings to destroy his church. Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction? Yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us and doom us to eternal despair? Oh my soul almost, as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls. And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth, and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing, unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed. Yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Alma 26:16 - 22, NC Alma 14 par. 18</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Ammon is very clear in his praising of the Lord that the Lord in his mercy saw fit, because of their repentance or turning to face Him, to bring them over that everlasting "gulf" of death and misery to the salvation of their souls.</div><div><br /></div><div>How is it that Christ is able to do such a thing, seeing we are still imperfect beings?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what happened to Enos.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father, that he was a just man, for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and blessed be the name of my God for it. And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forest, and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life and the joy of the saints sunk deep into my heart; and my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul. And all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came, I did still raise my voice high, that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying, Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee and thou shalt be Blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said, Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me, Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh. Wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. (Enos 1:1 - 8, NC Enos 1 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Because Enos understood the principle of faith in God that God is a God of truth and cannot lie, as soon as Enos heard the voice of God declare that his sins were forgiven because of Enos's faith in Christ his guilt was swept away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be reasonable to say that Enos was brought across that terrible gulf of death and misery to the salvation of his soul?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it now be possible, knowing that God remembered Enos's sins no more, for Enos to stand in the presence of a perfect and a just and a holy being, even God, without shrinking from His presence?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that such actions of bringing one across that great and terrible gulf constitute what the scriptures declare of Christ clothing someone in the robes of righteousness?</div><div><br /></div><div>When someone is clothed their nakedness is covered.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the nakedness that Adam and Eve experienced in the garden of Eden came about because their eyes were opened to see that gulf that existed between them and God; a just, and a perfect, and a holy being?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that when someone is clothed in the robes of righteousness that when they are brought before a just, and a perfect, and a holy being they are able to see themselves enveloped in Christ's righteousness, not their own nakedness; i.e. Christ has loaned them His righteousness?</div><div><br /></div><div>From what I have found in the scriptures, every time the term gulf is used it is in conjunction with or related to a conversation about judgement and justice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Helaman, the father of Nephi and Lehi, used the term "gulf" as he taught his sons.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people. Yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom in the city of Ammonihah, for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance. Therefore, he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation, that when the Devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:9 - 12, NC Helaman 2 par. 17)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Helaman referred to Christ as the way to escape that gulf of misery and endless woe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christ declared that through His doctrine we may be made clean or, in other words, brought across that terrible gulf to inherit the kingdom of God.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me — and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the holy ghost beareth record of the Father and me — and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men everywhere to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved, and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. Verily, verily I say unto you that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father. And whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also, and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the holy ghost. And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the holy ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me, for the Father and I and the holy ghost are one. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily I say unto you that this is my doctrine. And whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establisheth it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil and is not built upon my rock, but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell standeth open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people and declare the words which I have spoken unto the ends of the earth. (3 Nephi 11:31 - 41, NC 3 Nephi 5 par. 9)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Just how important is this for our day?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following vision.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">On the 13th of February 2003 I saw the Lord coming in His glory. At first a sign appeared in the heavens, a light emanating from a single point and turning first this way and that. All the world saw it, and men debated over its meaning. At length the light turned upon us and within it was the Lord, showing His glory, with concourses of angels and the hosts of Heaven following in His wake.<br /><br />And when we saw that it was the Lord we rejoiced and were filled with joy. I turned to my wife and said, Look, it is Christ!, and she said, Yes, it is! And we were filled with joy and peace of mind, for the long awaited day of the Lord had come.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />But others were filled with dread. They feared and lamented and wanted the mountains to cover them and hide them from His presence, for he was clothed in red and came in judgment. And Christian ministers knew they had taught falsely and that their faith could not save — and they begged for relief from the Saints.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />This caused me to marvel at how this could be. It was given unto me to understand that without the ordinances of salvation through the authorized ministers of the gospel it was not possible for men to shed their sins. And they could not look upon a just and holy Being without being racked with torment and guilt for their sins. And they pled with the Saints to minister to them, but we could not, for we were constrained by the spirit and were forbidden to do so. For this was the day of judgment which the Lord had in His heart, and he was now come to preach His own sermon, clothed in red, and to deliver those who waited on Him and to convict and condemn those who had not.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />I write this in my own hand and bear solemn testimony that it is true. Amen. When I had finished recording the foregoing account I replied to the Lord that it was not complete and that I could give a much fuller account. The Lord replied, When the time comes to bear testimony of this, these are the words you shall use. And many other things were told to me that cannot be written. (T&C Section 160)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I believe that we are in a time fast approaching the fulfillment of the above vision.</div><div><br /></div><div>The above vision reminds me of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the above vision will be fulfilled and I desire that many if not all may escape the coming torment by not being able to shed their sins at the Lord's coming in glory.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would invite all to exercise faith in Christ by coming and partaking of the Doctrine of Christ (<a href="http://bornofwater.org">bornofwater.org</a>) that they may be carried by Christ's power across that terrible gulf spoken of by Nephi to his brothers concerning the filthy river of water, and be saved in the kingdom of God.</div><div><br />I give thanks that Nephi was commanded to record his answers to his brothers' questions concerning what Lehi had seen in vision.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, what has been touched on here is so very little and incomplete and I would invite everyone to seriously look into the matter; calling upon God to open up knowledge to them.<br /><br /><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-82567217102072716472022-02-20T09:56:00.001-08:002022-02-20T09:56:37.394-08:00The Rod of Iron Which our Father Saw<p> 1 Nephi 15:21 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God, and that whoso would hearken unto the word of God and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things. And they said unto me, What meaneth the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separateth the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What is the meaning of this thing which our father saw in a dream? What is the meaning of the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of Elohim, and that whoever would hearken unto the word of Elohim and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of yhwh; yes, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of Elohim and remember to keep his mitzvot always, in all things. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was tum’ah; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the uncleanness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the k’doshim of Elohim. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful Gehinnom which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of Elohim did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascends up unto Elohim for ever and ever and has no end.</span></p><p>Why did Nephi record a more extensive response to his brothers' question about the iron rod than he recorded as a response to their first question about the tree of life?</p><p>I would imagine that it is rather laborious to ask such questions again and again but I hope that in spite of the laborious nature of considering "why" some insight might be discovered by that consideration. </p><p>Given that I believe that Nephi inscribed what he was constrained by the spirit to inscribe on the plates, and given that I believe that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God (i.e. God translated the text and told Joseph what to write), my present opinion is that I personally can gain important insight into the Book of Mormon by considering what is both included and also what is omitted.</p><p>Why does the Book of Mormon contain expansive information on certain things and yet cloud information into other things?</p><p>Is there an effort by God, through the Book of Mormon, to open to everyone, certain principles that apply to everyone, regardless of their level of understanding, while also inserting further parts of the gospel of Christ that are purposely veiled, except for references that pique a curiosity, that invite anyone who applies the principles that are open to all to come and see for themselves something greater yet?</p><p>Is it possible that the iron rod leading to the tree which represents the tree of life is a principle that is open for all which, if applied, will allow anyone to experience something greater yet; the tree of life?</p><p>I have always been taught that the iron rod is a representation of the scriptures.</p><p>I believe this to be partially true.</p><p>Is it possible that there is yet more to the iron rod than just the words of scripture?</p><p>Nephi exclaims the following concerning the iron rod.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">whoso would hearken unto the word of God and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction</span></p><p>Are there other places in the scriptures that talk about never perishing, not being overpowered unto blindness by temptations and fiery darts, and an avoidance of being lead away to destruction?</p><p>If we look at these other scriptures is it possible that we might encounter that there is more to the iron rod than just the scriptural cannon?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you and you believed not. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:22 - 30, NC John 6 par. 29)</span></p><p>Christ is very clear here that He will give eternal life to His sheep and His sheep will never perish.</p><p>Who holds His sheep in His hand so that no man is able to lead them away to destruction?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly I say unto you, except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it desires and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell from where it comes and to where it goes; so is everyone who is born of the spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said, Are you a master of Israel and do not know these things? Truly, truly I say unto you, we speak that which we do know and testify that which we have seen, and you receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you Heavenly things? I tell you, no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he who came down from Heaven — the Son of Man who is in Heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:4 - 16, NC John 2 par. 2)</span></p><p>Isn't is clear from Christ's words here that it is because of Christ's condescension that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people. Yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom in the city of Ammonihah, for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance. Therefore, he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation, that when the Devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:9-12, NC Helaman 2 par. 17)</span></p><p>Is it possible that the Devil's shafts in the whirlwind and his hail and mighty storm is another way of saying the temptations and fiery darts of the adversary?</p><p>If it is possible that the above is correct, then could harkening unto the word of God and holding fast to it be properly equated with building a foundation on the rock of our Redeemer even Christ, the Son of God?</p><p>Alma had something interesting to say concerning being taken captive and being led down to destruction.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying, It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart — only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word. And he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God, until they know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the Devil and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (Alma 12:9 - 11, NC Alma 9 par. 3)</span></p><p>What are the mysteries of God?</p><p>What does that mean, "mysteries of God"?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">That knowledge which is hidden from the world and only made available through revelation to the faithful. Much of such knowledge may be learned but is not to be taught. One will have to apply the process of learning the mysteries in one’s life if he or she intends to learn the mysteries themselves. The scriptures tell us how to get the “mysteries of God.” Learning these mysteries is the fullness of Christ’s Gospel. There is a system by which men learn the mysteries of heaven and are saved. That system is set out in Alma 9:7: first, angels are sent to prepare men and women; second, they are allowed to behold the Lord’s glory; then they converse with the Lord, at which point they are taught the things that have been prepared from the foundation of the earth for their salvation. All of this is driven by the man or woman’s faith, repentance, and holy works. Joseph Smith said, I advise all to go on to perfection and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of godliness…. [As for myself] it has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries, new things, for my hearers. This is the Book of Mormon theme. Search deeper, and find God.Ask that you may know the mysteries of God. That is a commandment. Although given to Oliver Cowdery, it is a principle that is applicable to all of mankind (see T&C 3:3). The claim that one should stay away from the mysteries of God is false. Refusing to follow the command to ask that you may know the mysteries of God (JSH 13:26) denies the power of godliness and opposes the doctrine of salvation. It is anti-Christ. “We make our own mysteries; we are not meant to be kept in darkness, and the mysteries of heaven will be unfolded to us as we make an effort to understand them.” Christ said that the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are understood only by those who have been initiated and given that understanding (see Matthew 7:2). Mysteries can also be defined as solemn ceremonial ordinances or rituals which take place in a special setting. “Mysteries (from the Greek, mystērion, μυστήριον)…[are] confided only to the initiated and not to be communicated by them to ordinary mortals.”<br /><br />Knowledge of the mysteries of godliness is obtained only through obedience to God. He ordained this method to make His greatest truths universally available to all His humble followers. If it were otherwise, men and women would all have to go to college to receive training for the ministry. Education is no real advantage in receiving light and truth from God. Humility is the only real, great advantage which any soul ever possesses (see T&C 159:31–32).9 Alma’s teaching that it is given unto many to know the mysteries of God (Alma 9:3, emphasis added) means what it says. This is God’s promise in every age. Even if only few men or women are willing to receive it, that does not cancel the promise. “The principle involving limited disclosure of things received in personal revelation is explained by Alma. If you are incapable of obeying these requirements, then you cannot receive any new mystery by revelation. Heaven will not permit any soul to receive mysteries if they cannot resist revealing them unwisely to others. The constraint — that they may be learned, but cannot be taught — is enforced by withholding them from those who will not abide by this constraint. If you are one of those who cannot respect this limitation, then the process will not work for you. Joseph said: ‘The reason we do not have the secrets of the Lord revealed unto us is because we do not keep them, but reveal them; we do not keep our own secrets, but reveal our difficulties to the world, even to our enemies, then how would we keep the secrets of the Lord?’ The mysteries of God are His hidden but simple truths.” (Mysteries of God, Glossary of Gospel Terms, Teachings and Commandments)</span><p>There are two things that stand out to me from the above definition related to this post.</p><p>1) <span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There is a system by which men learn the mysteries of heaven and are saved. That system is set out in Alma 9:7: first, angels are sent to prepare men and women; second, they are allowed to behold the Lord’s glory; then they converse with the Lord, at which point they are taught the things that have been prepared from the foundation of the earth for their salvation. All of this is driven by the man or woman’s faith, repentance, and holy works.</span></p><p>As Nephi is speaking to his brothers concerning the iron rod hasn't Nephi already completed walking the path to the tree of life by following the system set out in Alma 9 par. 7?</p><p>Hasn't Nephi practiced faith, repentance, and holy works?</p><p>Was it not by harkening to and holding fast to the "word of God" that Nephi practiced faith, repentance, and holy works?</p><p>Could it be said of Nephi that his eyes have been open to see the mysteries of heaven?</p><p>If one's eyes are not open then are they considered blind?</p><p>Alma declared that those who receive less and less until they know nothing are taken captive by the will of the Devil and led by his will down to destruction.</p><p>Is it possible that this is the same thing as the adversary overpowering people to blindness in order to lead them away to destruction like Nephi declared to his brothers?</p><p>2) <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Knowledge of the mysteries of godliness is obtained only through obedience to God. He ordained this method to make His greatest truths universally available to all His humble followers. If it were otherwise, men and women would all have to go to college to receive training for the ministry. Education is no real advantage in receiving light and truth from God. Humility is the only real, great advantage which any soul ever possesses (see T&C 159:31–32).</span></p><p>Does the above give greater meaning to what Nephi declared here in his record?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. And we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded us and searched them and found that they were desirable, yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us as we journeyed in the wilderness toward the land of promise. (1 Nephi 5:20 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 23)</span></p><p>When Nephi talked about keeping the commandments that the Lord had given them doesn't that match with what is required to obtain the mysteries of godliness?</p><p>When Nephi and Lehi were obedient to the commandments who were they harkening to and holding fast to?</p><p>Were they harkening to or holding fast to another mortal, group of mortals, traditions, culture, or an institution or an organization?</p><p>I don't believe so. I believe they were harkening and holding fast to the Lord alone.</p><p>Were the commandments they were given only the commandments that are contained in the scripture cannon?</p><p>We they given additional individual commandments by the Lord that applied to their unique situation in life?</p><p>By their obedience to the commandments of the Lord to them weren't they clinging to the iron rod?</p><p>Does this match Nephi's exhortations to his brothers here?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things.</span></p><p>Is it possible that a more fullsome interpretation of the iron rod is that it represents Christ?</p><p>Could we examine a couple of things along this line?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made which was made. In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the world, and the world perceives it not. (John 1:1 - 5, NC John 1 par. 1)</span></p><p>John is clear that the gospel was the word which was in the Son and it was preached through the Son.</p><p>What does this mean?</p><p>Please consider the following.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Christ is the “Word of God” because He lived and did all in conformity with the will of the Father. ( 3 Nephi 11: 11.) ("1 Nephi 14:8 - 9, Denversnuffer.com, July 8, 2010)<br /></span><p>In fact John further testified as follows concerning Christ.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son unto all, that through him men might believe. He was not that Light, but came to bear witness of that Light, who was the true Light who lights every man who comes into the world, even the Son of God, he who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God — only to them who believe on his name. He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the same Word was made flesh and dwelled among us. And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:6 - 14, NC John 1 par. 2)</span></p><p>John boldly declared that Christ was the Word made flesh when He came to dwell in this fallen world.</p><p>In a newly revealed fullness of the record of John we have further clarification of who Christ really was and what it was He led to in His ministry on this earth.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Messenger of the Heavenly Council was in the cosmos, and the cosmos existed through Him, and the cosmos had not acquired His knowledge. He came into His own creation, but those there were unable to understand Him. As many as perceived the Light in Him, to them He gave knowledge to enable them to follow the path to become like Him, begotten children in the family of the Most High God. This is only possible for those who believe through His name. Those who believe through His name are no longer born of blood to follow the appetites of flesh, nor the ambitions of man, but are able to become, like Him, the offspring of God. This one who was Spokesman from the Heavenly Council was made flesh, and He temporarily cast His tent among us, and we could see His knowledge of the path to ascend in light and truth, he was a member of the Family of God, full of the power to ascend and able to display truth to others. (John 1:10 - 14, T&C 171, Testimony of St John 1 par. 3)</span></p><p>Can we consider the vision of the tree of life again here?</p><p>In the previous post we talked about a possible meaning represented by the tree of life.</p><p>Did we not review scriptures and teachings that demonstrate the possibility that the tree of life is a representation of the family of God?</p><p>In the above newly revealed account written by John what knowledge did John declare Christ had to impart to the children of men?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> As many as perceived the Light in Him, to them He gave knowledge to enable them to follow the path to become like Him, begotten children in the family of the Most High God. This is only possible for those who believe through His name. Those who believe through His name are no longer born of blood to follow the appetites of flesh, nor the ambitions of man, but are able to become, like Him, the offspring of God.</span></p><p>Would it be unreasonable, given John's testimony above and our other investigation into the tree of life, to represent Christ as the "word of God" (the iron rod) with knowledge to give to all who would harken to Him and hold fast to Him to come to the tree of life or in other words become children in the family of the Most High God?</p><p>Is it Christ who is alongside the path that leads to the tree of life?</p><p>Christ, in a 2017 revelation declared the following.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">There are only two ways: the way I lead, that goes upward in light and truth unto Eternal lives — and if you turn from it, you follow the way of darkness and the deaths. Those who want to come where I am must be able to abide the conditions established for my Father’s Kingdom. I have given to you the means to understand the conditions you must abide. I came and lived in the world to be the light of the world. I have sent others who have testified of me and taught you. I have sent my light into the world. Let not your hearts remain divided from one another and divided from me.(Teachings and Commandments 157 par. 52)</span></p><p>Would such a description fit within the vision of the tree of life given to both Nephi and Lehi and I believe Alma and others?</p><p>This is a bit of an aside, but I believe it is very intertwined in what we are discussing here.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth: a woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the woman, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne. (Revelation 12:1 -2, 5, NC Revelation 4 par.1)</span></p><p>My present understanding is that the above reference to the birth of a male child is a representation of the kingdom of God.</p><p>However, I do believe that it invokes the imagery of Christ and sets one's mind to thinking on Christ and it interests me that the phrase "rule all nations with a rod of iron" is used.</p><p>What does it mean to "rule"?</p><p>How would one "rule" all nations with a rod of iron?</p><p>The following is found in the Glossary of Gospel Terms in the Teachings and Commandments for the term "Ruler"</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A teacher of truth. “We were spirits before we were born (Abraham 6:1–3). We were all there when some were chosen to be rulers, or in other words, teachers.” To rule is to be responsible to teach all those in one’s dominion. A ruler is a teacher responsible for instructing others (see 1 Nephi 1:9).3 The account in Genesis explains that Eve (and by extension her daughters) was put under Adam’s rule. Adam was handed responsibility and accountability for Eve. These are the words in the parable: Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee (Genesis 2:18). Adam was made accountable to “rule” in the fallen world. All the mistakes, mismanagements, failings, wars, and difficulties of mortality are the responsibility of the appointed “ruler.” Adam would not have been accountable for Eve unless she was made subject to his “rule.” Once under Adam’s rule, the redemption of Adam became also the redemption of Eve. Therefore, Adam (and the sons of Adam) and Eve (and the daughters of Eve) were all rescued through Christ’s atonement for mankind. In the Book of Mormon, the term “ruler” was synonymous with teacher (see e.g., Jacob 1:2). In Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, the use of the word “rule” in context means the assigned role to teach. Remember them who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God (Hebrews 1:59). He repeats it twice: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they who must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief (Hebrews 1:61); Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints (Hebrews 1:64).</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>With Nephi's definition of the iron rod being the word of God, wouldn't ruling all nations with a rod of iron refer to having the responsibility of teaching all nations the word of God?</div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is the above principle clearly pointed out by what occurred in the book of Mosiah?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church. Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not be all governed by one teacher, neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly... (Mosiah 25:19 - 24, NC Mosiah 11 par. 17)</span></div><div><br /></div><div> How would a teacher "govern" or "rule"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would this indicate a teacher's solemn responsibility to impart the word of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this principle related in any way with what Jacob declared?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son. Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride. Wherefore, I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having firstly obtained mine errand from the Lord. For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph, had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people by the hand of Nephi. And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence. Wherefore, by laboring with our mights, their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise, their blood would come upon our garments and we would not be found spotless at the last day. (Jacob 1:15 - 19, NC Jacob 1 par. 4)</span></div><div><p>Because Jacob was consecrated a priest and a teacher to the Nephites he understood his solemn responsibility to "rule" by imparting the word of God with all diligence when the Lord gave him, Jacob, an errand.</p><p>Could it be said concerning Jacob that he was ruling the Nephites with a rod of iron?</p><p>Does all this give new meaning to the words of the Prophet Joseph below?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world! (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 137)</span></p><p>Is it possible that in all of the above mentioned activities, conferences, councils, meetings, private and public conversations, God would prefer that the rod of iron, His word, be taught and instead we act meanly, with vulgarity, and with condescension?</p><p>I personally believe that the term vulgar in the context used here is different in meaning than how we culturally view it.</p><p>My present understanding is that if Jacob had decided to go into the temple on his own errand and address the Nephites, using his own teachings and his own life experience and understanding instead of imparting the words the Lord had given him to impart, that would have been vulgar.</p><p>Do we believe that anyone or any group who has a responsibility to "rule" or in other words, impart the word of God, can do so with condescension towards others, or meanly(with contempt or belittling others), or with vulgarity (I believe this means we teach according to our own experience and wisdom instead of teaching God's words (the philosophies of men mingled with scripture))?</p><p>If these deficiencies are present in the character of an individual or group or institution or organization who claims to have divine responsibility to "rule" over others then aren't such persons liars in claiming they are "rulers"?</p><p>Would God give responsibility to "rule" to such individuals?</p><p>God is not trifling with the souls of men, but in my opinion individuals who are condescending, vulgar, and mean while claiming divine authority to rule are doing just that; trifling with the souls of men.</p><p>Back to the post.</p><p>What does all of this mean for me personally?</p><p>If I am to hearken to and hold fast to the iron rod that leads along the path to the tree of life then is it not incumbent upon me to exercise faith in Christ, repent, and work holiness by obedience to Christ?</p><p>Can my obedience to another mortal, or an organization, or traditions, or an institution, or a group of mortals ever keep me from being blinded and led away to destruction by the adversary?</p><p>Can I expect, from what Lehi and Nephi, experienced that if I begin by being obedient to the commandments of God in the scriptures, that the Lord will bless me with further commandments that are individual to me that are suited to my unique situation in life?</p><p>Is it possible for me as an individual mortal to hear the voice of God and respond to that voice?</p><p>Is it possible that the Lord always intended to interact personally with every individual seeking to follow the path that leads to the tree of life?</p><p>Is it possible to see in the image of an individual holding fast to the rod of iron the commandment of the Lord as follows?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And again, verily I say unto you my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that you shall call upon me while I am near. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and you shall find me, ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, it shall be given unto you that is expedient for you. And if you ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your own condemnation. (D&C 88:62 - 65, T&C 86 par. 11)</span></p><p>The more one holds fast to the Iron Rod the closer the Iron Rod comes into contact with them.</p></div></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-46923239730658474142022-02-05T15:23:00.000-08:002022-02-05T15:23:56.371-08:00What Meaneth this Thing?<p> 1 Nephi 15:21 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God, and that whoso would hearken unto the word of God and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things. And they said unto me, What meaneth the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separateth the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 5</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What is the meaning of this thing which our father saw in a dream? What is the meaning of the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of Elohim, and that whoever would hearken unto the word of Elohim and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of yhwh; yes, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of Elohim and remember to keep his mitzvot always, in all things. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was tum’ah; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the uncleanness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the k’doshim of Elohim. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful Gehinnom which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of Elohim did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascends up unto Elohim for ever and ever and has no end.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Is this conversation between Nephi and his brothers a separate conversation from the ones Nephi had with them earlier where they were pacified and humbled?</p><p>If so, what is the context for Nephi's brothers asking Nephi these questions?</p><p>Are they angry or is it possible they are genuinely curious at the moment?</p><p>In their present humbled and pacified state is it possible that the previous words of their father Lehi are troubling them?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord. And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent that they would hearken to his words, in that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them. And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak as he dwelt in a tent in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things which cannot be written upon these plates. (1 Nephi 8:36 - 38, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 13)</span></p><p>Should I be pacified in my own life and let words that have been spoken by those sent by God, like Lehi and Nephi, trouble me?</p><p>What were Alma's words to his son Corianton?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins by denying the justice of God, but do you let the justice of God and his mercy, and his long-suffering, have full sway in your heart, but let it bring you down to the dust in humility. And now, my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way; declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you, yea, even according to my words. Amen. (Alma 42:29 - 31, NC Alma 19 par. 17)</span></p><p>Aren't the things Nephi is sharing with his brothers here meant to communicate to them <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins by denying the justice of God, but do you let the justice of God and his mercy, and his long-suffering, have full sway in your heart, but let it bring you down to the dust in humility?</span></p><p>Don't the themes of the tree of life and the iron rod and the fountain of filthy water address the justice and mercy and long-suffering of God?</p><p>With these themes being repeated again and again in the Book of Mormon, would it be beneficial for me to consider these themes?</p><p>What about Nephi's statement of the tree of life?</p><p>Is this theme of the tree of life a theme that connects the entire human family from the beginning of the earth until the end?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Lord revealed His plan for our day approximately three thousand years ago. We now begin fulfilling that ancient prophecy. Our current struggles were foreseen and foretold: The Lord of the whole earth considered destroying all the wicked, but His servant pled for Him to grant more time (Jacob 5:49-50). The Lord of the whole earth hearkened to His servant and decreed that He would spare it, and would labor within His vineyard a final time in our day (Id., v. 51). </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Lord determined long ago He would use a covenant to graft back people who had become wild and bitter, and connect them to the original roots of the tree of life, or in other words restore a people in our day to His covenant. The covenant offered today is from God and is the first step required to restore the family of God or tree of life on the earth. It will change the lost, wild and bitter fruit and begin to recover them and turn their hearts to the fathers. This will connect those who are living today, with the natural roots or those Fathers who still hold rights under the original covenant. (Id., v. 52-54). ("Opening Remarks", Denver Snuffer, Covenant of Christ Conference, Boise Idaho, Sept. 03, 2017, pg. 3)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I understand this correctly, the family of God is represented by the tree of life.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>When was the family of God or tree of life originally established on this earth?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who were the first "children" of God or the first individuals to partake of the fruit of the tree of life on this earth during this round of creation?</div><div><br /></div><div>What do the scriptures declare?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass when the Lord had spoken with Adam our father that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the spirit of God descended upon him. And thus he was born of the spirit and became quickened in the inner man. And he heard a voice out of Heaven saying, You are baptized with fire and with the holy ghost. This is the record of the Father and the Son, from henceforth and for ever. And you are after the Order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold, you are one in me, a son of God. And thus may all become my sons. Amen. (Moses 6:64 - 68, OC Genesis 4 par. 10)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Do we have here a record of the word of God Himself, speaking to a mortal on the earth and declaring to that mortal that they are one of His children?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did this declaration by the Father to mortal Adam create the family of God in this earth for the first time in this round of creation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Adam alone in this?</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe so.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And in that day the holy ghost fell upon Adam, which bore record of the Father and the Son, saying, I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and for ever, that as you have fallen, you may be redeemed — and all mankind, even as many as choose. And in that day, Adam blessed God, and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying, Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again, in my flesh I shall see God. And Eve his wife heard all these things and was glad, saying, Were it not for our transgression, we should never had seed, and should never had known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God gives unto all the obedient. And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. (Moses 5:9 - 12, OC Genesis 3 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Can it be reasonably stated that the scriptures testify that the family of God or tree of life was created for the first time with Adam and Eve?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that Adam and Eve became the parents, in the family of God, to all of their descendants who likewise received the same "gospel" or, in other words, promises that Adam and Eve received directly from the mouth of God, because of their repentance and heed to the words of God to them given through Adam and Eve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember the above: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Stated more simply, Adam and Eve ministered the word of God to their children after they themselves received God's words and promises and were sent by God to their children. Most of their physical children rejected their words but a residue who received the word of God through them and responded and repented and received the very same experiences and promises as Adam and Eve now became their children in more than just a physical sense. They became their children in the line of the family of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the same principle as the promise given to Abraham. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... And I will bless them through your name; for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after your name and shall be accounted your seed, and shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father... (Abraham 2:6 - 11, T&C 145, Abraham 3 par. 1)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>All who became part of the family of God on the earth had promises given to them by God's own voice out of the heavens just like those who had received the promises before them.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand it, this is what the dispensation of Adam consisted of; the original family of God on the earth. (the tree of life) This family of God continued uninterrupted from Adam down to Melchizedek or Shem the son of Noah.</div><div><br /></div><div>After Shem there was a general apostacy and Abraham became the first to arise out of generations of apostacy and re-establish this original order or family of God, obtaining for himself the original promises given to the fathers beginning with Adam, by God's own voice out of the heavens, again on the earth, which order continued uninterrupted from Abraham to Joseph the son of Jacob, renamed Israel, who was sold into Egypt and possibly to Ephraim the son of Joseph.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that this original dispensation, the family of God, is represented by the tree of life; which dispensation or the tree of life will be re-established before the end of the final dispensation on this earth in this creation cycle.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When God delivers a dispensation of the gospel to the earth, the head of that dispensation is granted the right and privilege of organizing the dispensation. As the head organizes their dispensation according to righteous principles and receives God’s approval of the pattern, the dispensation is established and remains in effect until apostasy necessitates another restoration.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Adam was given the first dispensation, and he patterned it after the order of Heaven.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Abraham was also given a dispensation, which he patterned after Adam’s dispensation.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Moses was given a dispensation, but established a different pattern for the children of Israel according to the hardness of their hearts, which dispensation John the Baptist brought to a lawful close.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Jesus Christ began a new dispensation which he patterned in a manner to reflect Abraham’s family, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob mirrored in Peter, James [Jacob], and John; the twelve tribes led by twelve sons of Jacob reflected by the twelve disciples; the seventy children of Jacob who entered Egypt at the time of father Joseph reflected by the seventy. And thus, Christ used his right to honor the family of Abraham.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Joseph Smith Jr. was given a dispensation, which he organized to honor the pattern Christ established.<br />Such is the right and privilege granted to those who stand at the head of dispensations of the gospel.<br />Adam, when given dominion over the whole earth by the word of God, received the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />The Order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed to whom the promises were made. This Order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner:</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of sixty-nine years, and was blessed by him three years previous to his (Adam’s) death, and received the promise of God, by his father, that his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should be preserved unto the end of the earth, because he (Seth) was a perfect man. And his likeness was the express likeness of his father’s, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things and could be distinguished from him only by his age.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Enos was ordained at the age of one hundred and thirty-four years and four months by the hand of Adam.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />God called upon Cainan in the wilderness in the fortieth year of his age, and he met Adam in journeying to the place Shedolamak. He was eighty-seven years old when he received his ordination.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Mahalalel was four hundred and ninety-six years and seven days old when he was ordained by the hand of Adam, who also blessed him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Jared was two hundred years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, who also blessed him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him. And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Methuselah was one hundred years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Lamech was thirty-two years old when he was ordained under the hand of Seth.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Noah was ten years old when he was ordained under the hand of Methuselah.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him, I have set you to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of you, and you are a prince over them for ever.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation, and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the holy ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation. These things were all written in the Book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br />Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also — or in other words, at the end of the world, the final dispensation will restore again the pattern of the first, or Adam’s, dispensation. (T&C 154)</span><div><br /></div><div>If we take what Lehi and Nephi have shared concerning the tree of life, is it possible to see the above reflected in what they taught about the tree of life?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass, after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof, and beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also, for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. And as I cast my eyes around about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, and I beheld a river of water and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. And I looked to behold from whence it came, and I saw the head thereof a little way off. And at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi, and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river that perhaps I might see them. And it came to pass that I saw them, bu</span>t <span style="color: #2b00fe;">they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit. (1 Nephi 8:8 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 2 pars. 8 - 9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Lehi describes that partaking of the fruit of the tree of life was desireable to make one happy. He further declared that as he partook it filled his soul with exceeding great joy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Could these effects on the soul of an individual, explained by Lehi, be reasonably connected to the effects on the soul that an individual experiences when they partake of the the fruit of or, in other words, become part of the family of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have a possible example of an individual who repents and becomes part of the family of God and the effects such an action brings upon their soul?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now as my mind catched hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who art in the gall of bitterness and art encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy and what marvelous light I did behold! Yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pains. Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there can be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as was my pains.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy. Yea, and methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there. But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God. Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance, that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste, that they might also be born of God and be filled with the holy ghost. (Alma 36:17 - 24, NC Alma 17 pars. 4 - 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The above is Alma the Younger's account to his son Helaman concerning what he, Alma, had experienced.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do Alma's words mirror Lehi's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it important for us to have the record of Alma apparently experiencing the same thing as Lehi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Lehi also declared that after partaking of the fruit he desired that his family might also come and partake.</div><div><br /></div><div>Could that be likened to wanting his family to also become a part of the family of God so as to experience it's fruits?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Alma experience the same feelings?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart — yea, with great anxiety even unto pain — that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance, but that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the holy spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering, having faith on the Lord, having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life, having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest. And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death. And Alma spake many more words unto the people which are not written in this book. (Alma 13:27 - 31, NC Alma 10 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Was the Prophet Joseph speaking about those who are part of the family of God when he declared the following?</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 174)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Lehi declared that he beckoned to his family and said unto them with a loud voice that they should come and partake of the fruit.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see this same feeling and action manifest with Alma?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people. Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption — that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish, for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life. Yea, I know that he allotteth unto men — yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable — according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men, or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless, but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. (Alma 29:1 - 5, NC Alma 15 par. 12)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see Alma's desire to cry with a loud voice and beckon all to come and partake of the fruit of the tree of life?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceeding great joy in the fruits of my labors. For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen. Therefore, they do know of these things of which I have spoken as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God. And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions. Yea, God has delivered me from prisons, and from bonds, and from death. Yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me. And I know that he will raise me up at the last day to dwell with him in glory. Yea, and I will praise him for ever, for he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea, and he led them by his power into the promised land. Yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time. Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem. And he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time, even down to the present day. And I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity. But behold, my son, this is not all, for ye ought to know as I do know that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God, ye shall prosper in the land. And ye ought to know also that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God, ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word. (Alma 36:25 - 30, NC Alma 17 par. 6)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to see here in Alma's words to his son Helaman a mirroring of the experiences of Lehi and Nephi with respect to beckoning to others to partake of the fruit of the tree of life or, in other words, to become part of the family of God and experience the fruits of that connection?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should it be any surprise to us that Alma goes into a discussion at great length, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">(Alma 32, NC Alma 16 pars. 26 - 30)</span> concerning how to come and partake of the fruit of the tree of life or in other words how to become part of the family of God and partake of the fruit of that association?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should it be any surprise to us that Alma thoroughly understood the order of the family of God or the tree of life? <span style="color: #2b00fe;">(Alma 13:1 - 20, NC Alma 9 par. 10 - Alma 10 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>By considering that the tree of life might be a representation of the family of God on the earth, would that give new and greater meaning to what Nephi declared in his vision concerning those who came and partook of the fruit or became part of the family?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. But to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron. And they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree...(1 Nephi 8:29 - 35, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 12)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>What type of reverence and praise is associated with falling down and then partaking of the fruit?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who would be present for someone to feel that they should fall down and worship?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And after he had said these words, he said unto me, Look. And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God a going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him. And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron which my father had seen was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life, which waters are a representation of the love of God. And I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God. (1 Nephi 11:24 - 25, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 10)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Who represents God's love to all of the world or, in other words, God's love for entire the human family?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, NC John 2 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Could it be appropriately stated that Christ is the foundation of the tree of life or the family of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>What did Christ declare to His disciples?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I am the true vine or head of the Father’s family, and my Father is the husbandman over that family. Every branch connected to me that does not produce fruit, he will remove, and every branch that produces fruit he will prune back so that it produces better fruit. You will bear fruit if you follow the things I have taught you. Stay connected to me as part of the Heavenly family, and I will nourish you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit if it is not connected to the vine, neither will you be able to bear fruit unless you remain connected with me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He that stays connected to me, and I to him, will be abundantly fruitful; but without the connection to me you will perish. If a man loses his connection with me, he is merely a withered branch; and men take the withered branches, cut them away and burn them. If you stay connected to me, and my words live in you, you will ask according to my will, and you will be given the ability to accomplish my will. It will please and vindicate my Father if you produce abundant fruit, and that will prove you follow me. Just like the Father has loved me, I have in turn likewise loved you. Therefore, remain connected with me and my love will be with you. If you practice my teachings you will always remain connected with me; just as I have kept my Father’s teachings and have remained connected with him. (John 15:1 - 10, Teachings and Commandments Section 171, Testimony of St John 10 par. 17)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If the tree of life is a representation of the family of God on the earth would that explain why it is impossible for someone to take fruit from the tree to give to others?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it impossible for anyone to experience the fruit of being part of the family of God on the earth unless they come and fall down before the True Vine, Jesus Christ, and are adopted into the family of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>There is way more that could be said concerning this subject but maybe this is sufficient to spark a curiosity to look into the matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I seriously look at my own present condition, is it possible for me to ask myself, am I part of the family of God and experiencing the fruit associated with that relationship?</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I heard the voice of God speaking from the heavens, declaring that I am now His son?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I am not yet a part of that family don't I find myself in the same situation as Laman and Lemuel in this part of the Book of Mormon record; outside of that blessed relationship and in need of repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div>One question the Book of Mormon answers very clearly is the question of whether an individual needs to be part of an institution or organization to be brought into the family of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Lehi brought into the family of God or, in other words, did Lehi partake of the fruit of the tree of life due to being in or a part of any organization or institution?</div><div><br /></div><div>How about Nephi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Weren't their journeys to and actions to partake of the fruit of the tree of life or to become part of the family of God individual undertakings?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this something that I ought to seriously consider?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can anyone on the earth deny me from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life or, in other words, becoming part of the family of God and experiencing that fruit if I exercise faith in Christ and seek to connect to Him, the True Vine, as an individual?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't He, Christ, the keeper of that gate?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally minded is death and to be spiritually minded is life eternal. O my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you, for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness, but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteousness. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel, and he employeth no servant there. And there is none other way save it be by the gate, for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. And whoso knocketh, to him will he open. And the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich — who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches — yea, they are they whom he despiseth. And save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them; but the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them for ever, yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. (2 Nephi 9:39 - 43, NC 2 Nephi 6 par. 11)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If Christ is the keeper of the gate and He employs no servants to keep the gate then if anyone declares that they have authority to bar my passage through the gate can I write them off as charlatans and liars?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-25770937348951049142022-01-24T14:56:00.002-08:002022-01-24T18:34:47.058-08:00I Did Rehearse Unto Them The Words of Isaiah<p> 1 Nephi 15:19 - 20, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 4</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake much unto them concerning these things; yea, I spake unto them concerning the restoration of the Jews in the latter days. And I did rehearse unto them the words of Isaiah, who spake concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the house of Israel; and after they were restored, they should no more be confounded, neither should they be scattered again. And it came to pass that I did speak so many words unto my brethren that they were pacified and did humble themselves before the Lord.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 4</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nefi, spoke much unto them concerning these things; yes, I spoke unto them concerning the restoration of the Y’hudim in the latter days. And I did rehearse unto them the words of Yesha’yahu, who spoke concerning the restoration of the Y’hudim, or of the house of Isra’el; and after they were restored, they should no more be confounded, neither should they be scattered again. And it came to pass that I did speak so many words unto my brothers that they were pacified and did humble themselves before yhwh.</span> </p><p>Is it possible that at this point in the valley of Laman that Nephi, having just received his marvelous vision, is dealing with the same experience as the Prophet Joseph and Oliver as follows?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things from the sealed record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven. They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous. And they were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen. (Teachings and Commandments Section 157 pars. 30 - 32)</span></p><p>Is it possible in the beginning of his ministry that Nephi was also in the situation that he was unable to take in everything that he had been shown and so he too was required to pray and ask to be able to comprehend by the power of the spirit?</p><p>Is it possible that is the reason Nephi declared the following?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And upon these I write the things of my soul and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. (2 Nephi 4:13 - 16, NC 2 Nephi 3 par. 6)</span></p><p>Was Nephi continually pondering in his heart upon the things he had both seen and heard and was Nephi continually pondering the scriptures in order to be able to <span style="color: #2b00fe;">comprehend by the power of the spirit</span> those things that he had both seen and heard?</p><p>Is there a pattern of receiving and comprehending heavenly things demonstrated here by Nephi?</p><p>Would it benefit me to follow this same pattern?</p><p>Nephi uses Isaiah's words to explain things to his brothers here and he uses them extensively throughout his record. Why? Why specifically Isaiah versus the words of other prophets?</p><p>Is this related in any way to what Nephi declared here?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand, for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews; for I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews, for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations. Wherefore I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations according to the word which he hath spoken. Wherefore hearken, O my people which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words, for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless, they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy according to the spirit which is in me. Wherefore, I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father. For behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn; yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah. (2 Nephi 25:1 - 5, NC 2 Nephi 11 par.1)</span></p><p>Is it reasonable to assume that Nephi is filled with the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>As Nephi reads the words of Isaiah, is it possible that those words, being understandable to Nephi because he is filled with the spirit of prophecy, bring Nephi greater comprehension according to the power of the spirit?</p><p>Are there things stated in Isaiah's words that Nephi recognizes he saw but at this point in the journey he is unable to or unauthorized from putting words to those things he has seen in vision?</p><p>Is it possible that Nephi experienced the same thing reading the words of Isaiah that his father, Lehi, experienced as he, Lehi, read the brass plates?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord, and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father Lehi took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass and he did search them from the beginning. And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents, and also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, and also the prophecies of the holy prophets from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah. And it came to pass that my father Lehi also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore, he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph, yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord that he might preserve his father Jacob and all his household from perishing with famine. And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt by that same God who had preserved them. And thus my father Lehi did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph; wherefore, he and his fathers had kept the records. And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the spirit and began to prophesy concerning his seed — that these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and people, who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed anymore by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed. (1 Nephi 5:9 - 19, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 22)</span></p><p>By reading the words of Isaiah, is it possible that at this point in the beginning of Nephi's ministry to his brothers that Nephi is also filled with the spirit of prophecy, like his father Lehi was, and is able to use the words of Isaiah, because of that spirit of prophecy, to instruct his brothers concerning the restoration of the Jews and the whole house of Israel?</p><p>What about me?</p><p>I understand that Nephi concluded his record of Isaiah's words, later on in 2 Nephi, with his own prophecy. </p><p>Was he using his prophecy to further clarify Isaiah's words so that I would be able to better understand Isaiah?</p><p>What if I still do not clearly understand the words of Isaiah?</p><p>I have a thought. It is rather troubling to me personally because it sheds light on my present plight.</p><p>Nephi declared that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless, they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.</span></p><p>What does it mean to be filled with the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>How would I know if I am filled with the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>John the Revelator, recording the words of an angel to him concerning those who are the fellow servants with John, declared,</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And he says unto me, Write: Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he says unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, Do you not see that I am your fellow servant? And of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus? Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:9 - 10, NC Revelation 7 par. 10)</span></p><p>Does that mean that if I have a testimony of Jesus that I possess the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>I have stated in the past, in my life, that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, received by the influence of the Holy Ghost; that He is the Savior and Redeemer and that He lives. </p><p>I have to honestly declare that even having expressed that I still do not understand Isaiah.</p><p>Is the testimony of Jesus, spoken of in the book of Revelation, something different than my above expressions?</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When Christ has promised one Eternal life, he can know with a surety he has Eternal life. Until then, all remain at risk and in jeopardy every hour they are here (see 1 Corinthians 1:64). When one knows he is sealed up to Eternal life, he has the more sure word of prophecy or the testimony of Jesus (see WJS, 201–202; WWJ, 2:230–231; T&C 86:1). These are they who have been told by the voice of God from heaven that they have Eternal life. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 7:10). To have a saving testimony of Him is to become a prophet. It is no wonder, then, that Moses wished all men were prophets (see Numbers 7:19). All are invited to get testimonies of Christ and are, therefore, also invited to become prophets.<br /><br />What if someone were to declare today that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved (1 Nephi 3:24)? What if they were to declare in sober words that the Lamb of God lives still? That He had appeared to and spoken with the one making the declaration? Would there yet be those who would hear and repent? Would that message be drowned out by the chorus of foolish and vain things being spoken in the name of Jesus Christ by those who, despite having real intent and sincere desire, have not been given power to declare His words? Would such a message only be another bit of entertainment for the bored and curious to give but passing notice? Could the world be given such a message and warned but fail to see what it is they are being offered for one last time before the harvest is to begin? “If so, would we notice? Should someone choose to come, they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (1 Nephi 3:24). How must they come? The Book of Mormon suggests it must be through the gate of revelation (Moroni 10:2). Without revelation you cannot obtain the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 7:10). Or, in other words, unless you find prophets who can bear testimony of Him, you have not yet found the means for salvation.” The whole text of the Book of Mormon comes down to experience after experience, being retold by people who, during their lifetime, had this opening up of the Heavens to them, and they came into contact with Jesus Christ and recognized who He is and what His role is. “The testimony of Jesus is not something that comes from you (i.e., ‘I have this [testimony,] and let me tell it to you’). The testimony of Jesus is something that He gives to you as His confirmation to you that you have part in His kingdom. To receive the testimony of Jesus is to receive from Him the promise that He will give you eternal life. The Book of Mormon is filled with accounts of people that had had that experience and that’s — at one point — an expected and normal part of the Christian experience. It became very rare, unexpected, and in fact is denounced by many denominations as something that doesn’t happen, can’t happen, ought not happen. And if you think that you’ve come into contact with a divine being, then you’ve been misled because, well, Jesus is busy. He can’t be troubled with your lot…don’t think that you’re going to have an encounter with Jesus. However, my view is that Christian salvation is based upon the testimony of Jesus, to you, of your salvation. I also think that it doesn’t matter when you live or what the circumstances were; if you were true and faithful to Him, you will have that experience…. I believe it to be an authentic part of every Christian’s life.” (Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Gospel Terms, "Testimony of Jesus")</span><p>My present understanding, from the above explanation, is that Nephi is declaring that the words of Isaiah are plain to prophets; those who have received Christ's testimony to them that they qualify for eternal life.</p><p>Is that why the Prophet Joseph was able to declare concerning the book of Revelation,</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 290)</span></p><p>Does the same principle apply for understanding the words of John the Revelator in the book of Revelation as for understanding the words of Isaiah?</p><p>Does that mean that in Nephi's statement concerning the words of Isaiah that Nephi is inviting me to become a prophet?</p><p>Was Nephi rehearsing the words of Isaiah to his brothers in an attempt to invite them to become prophets in their own right?</p><p>Is Nephi's extensive use of the words of Isaiah in his record in the Book of Mormon meant to challenge all of us to become prophets so that Isaiah's words will become plain to all of us?</p><p>How carefully should I consider the teachings of anyone, concerning the words of Isaiah, who has not received the testimony of Jesus?</p><p>That being said, how carefully should I consider the teachings of anyone, concerning the words of Isaiah, even if they are filled with the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>Should I consider it an individual effort, on my part, to be able to come to a plain understanding of the words of Isaiah like Nephi states?</p><p>Is coming to a plain understanding of the words of Isaiah a duty that devolves upon me that I should not neglect or rely upon others for such an understanding, even if they are filled with the spirit of prophecy?</p><p>What if someone declares that they understand the words of Isaiah because they understand the <span style="color: #2b00fe;">manner of prophesying among the Jews?</span></p><p>Did the Jews understand Isaiah's words?</p><p>Please consider the following.</p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Book of Mormon people migrating out of Jerusalem left the Holy Land at the end of the first temple period. They avoided the triumph of the Deuteronomists over the religion of the Jews. The Jewish Deuteronomists were innovators who repudiated and replaced the original religion with a new, apostate form of worship that dominated the second temple period. The Book of Mormon writers were spared from all that. They were gone before it happened. ("Book of Mormon", Denversnuffer.com, December 03, 2015)</span><div><br /></div><div>And this</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Zenos and Isaiah talk about the same topic. Zenos went before, and Isaiah came after. Zenos was apparently a Northern Kingdom prophet, and Isaiah was a Southern Kingdom prophet. Isaiah’s record about Christ is poetic and, like most poetry, tends to be obscure—beautifully crafted language with difficult allegories to understand. Zenos, on the other hand, was pretty blunt and pretty straightforward; you could not miss the point of Zenos. Whereas it’s very possible to take the Isaiah text and you can construe it, because of its vague allegories, to mean just about anything, Zenos could not be reformed to eliminate Christology. It was blatantly present in the Zenos text, therefore Zenos got dropped from the Old Testament.<br />Isaiah, on the other hand, could be used to obscure the Christology because—although he points forward to, in magnificent ways, the coming of the Savior and His sacrifice—the suffering-servant passages could be interpreted to not mean an individual Savior, Jesus Christ, but rather the people of God (or Israel)—who went through so much persecution because they preserved a religion that testified of the true God. And therefore, the language of Isaiah was susceptible of interpretation to construe it away from pointing to Jesus Christ. Zenos could not be so handled or interpreted. He clearly spoke about this coming Savior.<br />As a result, in the reconstitution of the scriptures, the references contained in Zenos were too plentiful to allow it to get into the canon of scriptures; and it got obliterated from the scriptures that were re-gathered at the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. But the record of Zenos was included within what that planting of people in the Book of Mormon took with them. They didn’t lose the prophecies of Zenos, and so it informed them about Christ in very specific ways.<br />The presence of Christology in the Book of Mormon are the inevitable result of possessing scriptures that speak candidly, openly, and frankly about the coming of this Messiah. And so, when you pick up the Book of Mormon and read it, you literally are reading a text that has not been corrupted by these other influences. And the abundant presence of a Christological theology in the Book of Mormon is not evidence that the Book of Mormon is false, but it is evidence that the traditions that surrounded the religion of the Jews—as it came to be understood when Christ came to earth—that was what was corrupted. That was what was incomplete. ("66: Allegory of the Olive Tree, Denver Snuffer Podcast,</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">April 28, 2019)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If the Jewish Deuteronomists had understood the words of Isaiah wouldn't they have eliminated his words as well as eliminating the words of Zenos?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what Nephi has to say about Isaiah's words.</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children; for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother Jacob also hath seen him as I have seen him. Wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses and he proveth all his words. Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ, for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given. And all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world unto man are the typifying of him. And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and his justice, and power, and mercy, in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death. And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that, save Christ should come, all men must perish. For if there be no Christ, there be no God; and if there be no God, we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fullness of his own time. (2 Nephi 11:2 - 7, NC 2 Nephi 8 par. 2)</span></div><div><p>If the Jews had truly understood Isaiah's words, like Nephi who was filled with the spirit of prophecy, they would have clearly seen that Isaiah's words testify of Christ as the Messiah.</p><p>Nephi declared this concerning the Jews.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews, for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.</span></p></div><div><p>Now, is it possible that what Nephi is recording here is an event that took place over some period of time and not just in one sitting; being able to speak "so many words" to his brothers?</p><p>How is it that Nephi being able to "speak so many words" to his brothers pacifies them and causes them to humble themselves before the Lord?</p><p>Is there power in the words spoken by those authorized by the Lord to speak and minister unto the children of men?</p><p>What did Alma experience?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites. Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites. And now, as the preaching of the word had had a greater tendency to lead the people to do that which was just — yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword or anything else which had happened unto them — therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God. Therefore, he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner — and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla, but the former three he took with him — and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons. Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and his name was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him were Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who went with him among the Zoramites to preach unto them the word. (Alma 31:1-7, NC Alma 16 par. 16) </span></p><p>If that is what pacified them, what is it about that message that is pacifying and humbling?</p><p>If I hear or rather if I soften my heart to give sufficient time and consideration for an authorized messenger from the Father to deliver the message the Father has sent, will it affect me?</p><p>Is it possible that, even temporarily, (or longer according to my diligence in heeding the message) I might feel to humble myself before God?</p><p>We talked in the last post about Melchizedek.</p><div>How did Melchizedek obtain peace among or "pacify" his people? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations — yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness. But Melchizedek, having exercised mighty faith and received the office of the High Priesthood according to the Holy Order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent. And Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore, he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the King of Salem; and he did reign under his father. Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater. Therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention. Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them, it shall be to your own destruction. (Alma 13:17 - 20, NC Alma 10 par. 2)</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Would it be reasonable to say that Melchizedek's people were "pacified" because they responded to the words Melchizedek was sent by God to declare and they repented?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there a pattern here?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see in this moment, among Lehi's family, that Nephi's brothers are repenting?</div><div><br /></div><div>How about me? If the Lord were to command one of His servants to testify of my current condition would the servant be able to observe that I am currently pacified?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I am not pacified, what does that testify of as far as my condition of repentance?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I desire peace?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't that desire for peace come to me if I am repenting?</div><div><br /></div><div>What effect would repentance have on my heart as far as drawing out my heart in mercy, patience and charity towards my fellowman?</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-47050588077968510492022-01-02T11:38:00.002-08:002022-01-14T21:14:49.158-08:00In Thy Seed Shall All the Kindreds of the Earth be Blessed<p> 1 Nephi 15:12 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of the Lord which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Israel? And are we not a branch of the house of Israel? And now the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness of the gentiles is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yea, for the space of many years and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the gentiles, and from the gentiles unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth. And he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the gentiles for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Isra’el was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of yhwh which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Isra’el? And are we <br />not a branch of the house of Isra’el? And now the thing which our father means concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the Milo HaGoyim is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yes, for the space of many years and many generations after the Mashiach shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fulness of the besorah of the Mashiach come unto the Goyim, and from the Goyim unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Isra’el and that they are the covenant people of yhwh. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the besorah of their Redeemer, which was taught unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their El Olam, their rock, and their salvation? Yes, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yes, will they not come unto the true fold of Elohim? Behold, I say unto you, yes, they shall be numbered again among the house of Isra’el; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father means. And he means that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Goyim. And he means that it shall come by way of the Goyim, that yhwh may show his power unto the Goyim for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Y’hudim, or of the house of Isra’el. Wherefore, our father has not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Isra’el, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant yhwh made to our father Avraham, saying, In your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span><div><br /></div><div>I hope that it is abundantly clear that this blog is not in any way shape or form meant to be a declaration of "this is what the Book of Mormon is teaching, this is all the Book of Mormon is teaching, and you must accept this as truth!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe the following statement.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Doctrine is not to be understood as an academic or scholarly undertaking. (Remember the chapter in Eighteen Verses on Moroni 10:5.)<br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is supposed to be understood in the doing. (John 7:17.) When you have done it, as Nephi has, then you will be able to explain the doctrine. To attempt to have a command of the doctrine without having done the will of the Father is to always be left without understanding. It is also not necessary to be able to fully expound the doctrine before doing it. It is necessary to take action consistent with the invitation offered to you... ("Don't Over-think Things", Denversnuffer.com, August 29, 2010)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever I share here represents my present ideas and my present understanding of subjects that seem to me to come up, to use the words of the Prophet Joseph, "like an overflowing surge" from the Book of Mormon.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only intent of this blog is to maybe pique an interest in someone who might stumble across it to seriously look into and study the Book of Mormon for themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>My understanding of subjects presented in the Book of Mormon is obviously limited, which means that I am still lacking in taking action consistent with the invitation that has been offered to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Only after I have repented and done the will of the Father in my own life will I have a complete understanding of any of these subjects.</div><div><br /></div><div>My hope is that anyone who visits this blog will see that I am lacking and they will either say to themselves "What this guy is sharing resonates with me but it is obviously incomplete so I will seriously study the Book of Mormon and ask of God for myself to discover the complete doctrine contained there." or "This guy is off and that makes me want to study out the Book of Mormon for myself and ask of God who gives to all men liberally and upbraids them not so that I do not fall prey to this guy's ideas or to the ideas of anyone else who is off as well."</div><div><br /><div>This final statement of Nephi in this paragraph to his brothers is interesting to me for two reasons.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) If I understand what Nephi is saying correctly, Nephi is giving a time frame for when the Lord's covenant with Abraham, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, </span>would be fulfilled.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Nephi is explaining to his brothers concerning this covenant the Lord made to Abraham which he, Nephi, would later revisit with his brothers again, the Lord Himself would expound on this same covenant as He taught among the Nephites following His resurrection, Peter, in the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost spoke of this covenant in almost the same words as the Lord to the Nephites, Jacob, in the book of Genesis, as he received the vision of Jacob's ladder was given this very same covenant from the Lord, in the very same words as his grandfather Abraham received it, and we have the account of Abraham initially receiving this covenant contained in the words of the book of Abraham found in the Teachings and Commandments. There are references to this covenant in every one of the books of scripture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reference to this covenant is found in all of the scripture cannons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be beneficial to understand the covenant Nephi is referring to here?</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two documents I would recommend to anyone to read and study for a greater understanding of this covenant: 1) Forty Years In Mormonism, Lecture 4, "Covenants", given in Centerville, Utah and found for free in the downloads section of Denversnuffer.com 2) "Religion of the Fathers" given as a lecture in Aravada Nevada and also found for free in the downloads section of Denversnuffer.com </div><div><br /></div><div>I really would encourage anyone who desires to seriously look into this matter to study the two above documents. What I am able to share here of my present understanding is so very small and as I said above even though it resonates with me it may not be correct and it certainly is incomplete.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the scripture record we have the following account.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him, I have set you to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of you, and you are a prince over them for ever. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation, and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the holy ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation. These things were all written in the Book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time. (D&C 107:53 - 57, T&C 154 pars. 19 - 20)</span></div><div><br /></div>The Lord declared here to Adam that a multitude of nations would come of him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Adam was also given the title of Prince.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does that mean?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the title of Prince bestowed upon Adam is a title that distinguishes Adam as a Prince of Peace?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that when the Lord declared to Adam that a multitude of nations would come of him that the Lord was making Adam a Father of many nations?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have any clarifying examples in scripture that define these two titles?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Melchizedek?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now Melchizedek was a priest of this Order, therefore he obtained peace in Salem and was called the Prince of Peace. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained Heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world, and has said and sworn with an oath that the heavens and the earth should come together, and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the King of Heaven by his people — or in other words, the King of Peace. (Genesis 14:33 - 36, OC Genesis 7 par. 20)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Shem, who was renamed Melchizedek, was given the title of Prince of peace because he obtained peace in Salem.</div><div><br /></div><div>How did Melchizedek obtain peace? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations — yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness. But Melchizedek, having exercised mighty faith and received the office of the High Priesthood according to the Holy Order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent. And Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore, he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the King of Salem; and he did reign under his father. Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater. Therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention. Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them, it shall be to your own destruction. (Alma 13:17 - 20, NC Alma 10 par. 2)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Melchizedek preached repentance and that was what made him a Prince of peace because repentance among a people always brings peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>The above scriptures state that Melchizedek was part of an Order of priests.</div><div><br /></div><div>How did Melchizedek become part of that Order?</div><div><br /></div><div>Alma tells us that he had exercised great faith and so he received the office of High Priesthood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have any clarification on how that occurred?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness. And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the Order of the Son of God, which Order came not by man, nor the will of men, neither by father nor mother, neither by beginning of days nor end of years, but of God. And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name. (Genesis 14:26 - 29, OC Genesis 7 par. 18)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Shem, as a child feared God, and worked acts of faith and wrought righteousness. </div><div><br /></div><div>As, I understand it, it was Shem's faith that qualified him to be approved of God to be ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant that God made with Enoch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Shem's name was changed to Melchizedek when he entered into this Order?</div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't it appear that entry into this Order is accomplished with a covenant with God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Has the God ever given individuals in scripture a new name when He covenants with them?</div><div><br /></div><div>This order is called the Order of the Son of God and it does not come by man, nor by man's will, nor by an earthly father or mother, it does not come from anything mortal because mortal things have a beginning of days and end of years, it comes from God and God declares it unto those who are brought into this Order by His own voice to them personally, according to His own will.</div><div><br /></div><div>Was this Order that Melchizedek became a part of the same Order Adam entered into at the beginning?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass when the Lord had spoken with Adam our father that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the spirit of God descended upon him. And thus he was born of the spirit and became quickened in the inner man. And he heard a voice out of Heaven saying, You are baptized with fire and with the holy ghost. This is the record of the Father and the Son, from henceforth and for ever. And you are after the Order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold, you are one in me, a son of God. And thus may all become my sons. Amen. (Moses 6:64 - 68, OC Genesis 4 par. 10)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see in the above that Adam heard God's own voice out of Heaven declaring to Adam that he, Adam, was now part of this Order which is without beginning of days or end of years?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Adam preach repentance to his posterity?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we reasonably determine from scripture then that starting with Adam, on this earth in this cycle of creation, that God established an Order of High Priests who preached repentance, which brings peace, so they each possessed the title of Prince of peace?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Adam part of an Order of things that is different than what we culturally think of?</div><div><br /></div><div>We will address the title of Father of many nations as we continue with Abraham below.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is Abraham's declaration of what he was seeking for.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed. (Abraham 1:1 - 4, T&C 145, The Book of Abraham 1 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Abraham was seeking the blessings of the Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that means that Abraham was seeking to become part of the Order first established in this creation cycle for this earth through Adam?</div><div><br /></div><div>Abraham declares here that this right or Order of Fathers came down to him from before the foundations of this earth to his time through the Fathers to be conferred upon him.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, who did this Order Abraham was seeking to be a part of originate from?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't it originate from God who is without beginning of days or end of years?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't this the same Order begun with Adam?</div><div><br /></div><div>When we hear of the titles, "Rightful heir", "Prince of peace", "Father", "High priest" who do these titles cite our minds to?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this connected in any way with the words of Alma?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...And I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests after his Holy Order, which was after the Order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people. And those priests were ordained after the Order of his Son in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. And this is the manner after which they were ordained: being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works in the first place, being left to choose good or evil; therefore they, having chosen good, and exercising exceeding great faith, are called with a holy calling — yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds (while, if it had not been for this, they might had as great privilege as their brethren — or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren — thus, this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son who was prepared), and thus, being called by this holy calling and ordained unto the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest — this High Priesthood being after the Order of his Son, which Order was from the foundation of the world, or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity according to his foreknowledge of all things. Now they were ordained after this manner, being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the High Priesthood of the Holy Order — which calling, and ordinance, and High Priesthood is without beginning or end; thus, they become high priests for ever after the Order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.(Alma 13:1 - 9, NC Alma 9 par. 10)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>By possessing those titles as part of their ordination into that Order, wouldn't that cite our minds to Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't that ordination allow people to know in what manner to look forward to the Son for redemption?</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't the words of Alma further confirm that this High Priesthood or Holy Order or Order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father which Abraham sought for and received entry into was the same Order that Adam entered into; without beginning of days or end of years?</div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't Abraham's declaration "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me.</span>" point to the fact that he entered into the Order Alma was talking about?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now why would understanding this be important?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following.</div><div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When you go back to the Fathers and you begin with Adam, although there were apostasies—and apostasies began immediately—it was generations before Eve bore Cain and thought she had a son that would at last be faithful. They were grandparents when Cain was born. And then Abel was born. And Cain slew Abel. And Seth came as a replacement to the grandparents, Adam and Eve. And from Seth reckons, then, the seed of the righteous.<br /><br />Father to son to grandson to great-grandson. When you look at the list of those that are gathered together into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, in the first Zion, where the Lord came and dwelt among them: And he rose up and he called Adam, Michael (“El” being the name of God)— Jehovah appeared in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and you have, seventh from Adam being Enoch; you have a line of continuity from Adam, directly down all the way until you arrive at Shem.<br /><br />But when you hit Shem, it interrupts. There is a complete falling away. There are no righteous fathers for Abraham. His fathers had turned to idolatry. Abraham is the prototype of the saved man and the Father of all who would be righteous thereafter because Abraham represents coming to the truth in a generation of apostasy. Abraham represents coming back to the light, despite the fact that his fathers taught him idolatry. Abraham represents the challenge that every man who would be saved from that point forward must find themselves within—and then overcome the idolatry of their fathers. Abraham is the prototype.<br /><br />And so Abraham is acknowledged by that same Jehovah who visited with the Fathers in Adam-ondi-Ahman and identified Himself again to Abraham—who, after apostasy, becomes literally the first—the first to return to the righteousness of the first Fathers, the first to return to the religion that belonged in the beginning to mankind, the first to discover a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers.<br /><br />Abraham was the one who desired to be a follower of righteousness, …one who possessed great knowledge, to be a greater follower of righteousness and to possess greater knowledge still. It is this which made him a candidate the Lord could speak to. It’s this that made him the prototype in his generation of what it takes to turn away from idolatry, to turn away from the kind of corrupt and degrading religions that were then in play on the earth—the fertility cults and the human sacrifices and the vileness that surrounded him. And then having done so, to be asked by God to slay his son, as if there was some legitimacy to the rites that were practiced all around him.<br /><br />Now in the version that we have in the King James Bible, Isaac is not slain. There is an older tradition that you can find in the book of Hebrews (and you can find it in the Book of Mormon) where Isaac is slain, and he’s brought back to life, rather like Lazarus is brought back to life. But it’s clear that the Old Testament version that we have in King James, he raises his hand with a knife to commit the act, and then the ram is found in the thicket to deliver him. Sometimes as it turns out, rams are not found in thickets and the sacrifice will be required.<br /><br />The Lord says: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood)…. Because fundamentally, what distinguishes Abraham and what distinguishes the covenant is the knowledge that he has. Abraham is in possession of something because Abraham knows some things that are true that relate back to the very beginning. And as a consequence of that, those who are given the same knowledge necessarily have to belong to the same priesthood. "55: Abraham, Part 2, Denver Snuffer Podcast, February 03, 2019)<br /><br /></span></div><div>Do we not find ourselves in apostacy at present?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we find anywhere in the world right now where the original religion of Adam that existed at the beginning of the earth exists now in a complete form among a group of people?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we find anywhere, at present, a group of people who possess a complete<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets and of the stars, as they were made known unto the Fathers?</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">(Abraham 1:29 - 31, T&C 145, The Book of Abraham 2 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Can we find anywhere, at present, a group of people who have communion with the Lord and with God like Adam and Abraham and the other Fathers had?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to repent and escape apostacy without acknowledging that we are in apostacy?</div><div><br /></div><div>If we come out from this world of apostacy who is the prototype of our exodus?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would our escape from apostacy through faith on Christ and repentance not mirror Abraham's journey?</div><div><br /></div><div>We have discussed this before in this blog. Priesthood, real divine priesthood, has nothing to do with holding a position of authority over others, or an office in an institution, or controlling or directing others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Abraham held priesthood. The Lord declared it. He held the right of the Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>That "priesthood" had nothing to do with Abraham holding authority over others or over an organization etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does it say anywhere in the scriptures that Abraham presided over an institution or group of people or that Abraham commanded or directed people to do things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Abraham exert any power or influence over others except to try and persuade them to believe in truth?</div><div><br /></div><div>That "priesthood" had everything to do with possessing knowledge; heavenly knowledge. It had everything to do with having a face to face communion with those on the other side of the veil; ultimately with the Lord and with God.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what the Prophet Joseph declared about the "priesthood" Abraham possessed; the priesthood or right of the Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The next great grand patriarch who held the keys of the Priesthood was Lamech. See Gen 5th chapter, 28th and 29th verses [Gen. 5:4]: And Lamech lived 182 years and begat a son. And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed. The Priesthood continued from Lamech to Noah, Genesis 6th chapter, 13th verse [Gen. 5:12]: And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is before me. For the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah, that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the keys, the covenants, the power, and the glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning, and the offering of sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time.(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 171, T&C 140 par. 16)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>So, is it reasonable to state that if we individually do not possess the same knowledge or the same communion with those on the other side of the veil as Abraham and the other Fathers before him to Adam that we are in a state of apostacy with respect to the original religion that Adam possessed?</div><div><br /></div><div>So what does this have to do with what Nephi declared here to his brothers?</div><div><br /></div><div>As I understand it, Abraham, because of his "priesthood" received a covenant from the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning. Therefore, my hand shall be over you, and I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you above measure, and make your name great among all nations. And you shall be a blessing unto your seed after you, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations. And I will bless them through your name; for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after your name and shall be accounted your seed, and shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father. And I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you. And in you (that is, in your Priesthood) and in your seed, (that is, your Priesthood) — for I give unto you a promise that this right shall continue in you and in your seed after you (that is to say, the literal seed or the seed of the body) — shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal. (Abraham 2:6 - 11, T&C 145, The Book of Abraham 3 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>How did the Lord declare that Abraham would receive seed?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that because Abraham is the prototype of any individual who comes out of apostacy into the true religion had by Adam at the beginning that anyone who seeks for and receives the same "gospel" or "Priesthood" as Abraham are given to Abraham in the family of God as Abraham's seed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Abraham now becomes a Father of many nations because wherever there is someone, in whatever nation of the world they live, who through faith on those things taught by Abraham in his ministry comes up to receive the very same "Priesthood" or "gospel" as Abraham they become a child of Abraham and claim him as their Father in the family of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is clarified by the Lord when He declared to Abraham <span style="color: #2b00fe;">for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after your name and shall be accounted your seed, and shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father...</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And in you (that is, in your Priesthood) and in your seed, (that is, your Priesthood).</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Anyone who comes up to the same rights and privileges as was had by Abraham become Abraham's seed.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>As an example, Jacob, renamed Israel, also received the very same covenant as his grandfather Abraham received. This is the account of that event.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place and stayed there all night because the sun was set. And he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven. And behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed. And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. And in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places to which you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken to you of. (Genesis 28:10 - 15, OC Genesis 9 par. 20)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Isn't it interesting that in the scriptural record even though Abraham was physically Jacob's grandfather the Lord declares <span style="color: #2b00fe;">I am the Lord God of Abraham your father?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Does this give new meaning to the Lord's declaration to the Pharisees that if they were children of Abraham they would do the works of Abraham?</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Lord further declared to Abraham concerning his seed, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">And you shall be a blessing unto your seed after you, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations.</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Just like Abraham, their Father, these children of Abraham now are called to a ministry because they possess the same knowledge and communion with God as Abraham and all the other Fathers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord finishes by declaring concerning these who are now Abraham's children, "<span style="color: #2b00fe;">And in you (that is, in your Priesthood) and in your seed, (that is, your Priesthood) — for I give unto you a promise that this right shall continue in you and in your seed after you (that is to say, the literal seed or the seed of the body) — shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>How does one bring the blessings of salvation and eternal life to the families of the earth?</div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The Prophet Joseph declared the following about salvation or being saved.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 217)</span><div><br /></div><div>And remember what the Lord declares constitutes eternal life.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Jesus spoke these words, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you, as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal: that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you gave me to do. And now, O Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was. (John 17:1 - 5, NC John 9 par. 19)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Notice that the Prophet Joseph stated clearly that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">knowledge of the things of God </span>in order to receive saving knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The children of Abraham must be able to converse in a friendly and familiar manner with Jehovah to receive what needs to be received from Him to dispense knowledge that is both saving and will bring others to the point where they know for themselves personally God and Jesus Christ who was sent; which to know Them is eternal life.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ministry of Abraham's children is to, under God's direction, minister this knowledge that saves and opens up the opportunity to know God and Jesus Christ to all nations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the following apply to the children of Abraham?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination be aware of, because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God than the vain imagination of the human heart? None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 137, T&C 138 par. 18)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Isn't the ministry of the children of Abraham to lead souls to salvation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would the children of Abraham trifle with the souls of men?</div><div><br /></div><div>This, as I understand it, constitutes the original religion of Adam that must be restored in its fullness on the earth in the latter days.</div><div><br /></div><div>How does this fit under the context of what Nephi is declaring to his brothers concerning the House of Israel in the latter days?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth... </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Who are the forefathers or Fathers that the seed of Lehi and of the rest of the House of Israel will come to a knowledge of?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this in any way related to the hearts of the children being turned to the heart of the Fathers as Malachi prophesied?</div><div><br /></div><div>As Nephi speaks of Lehi's seed and also of the rest of the House of Israel coming to a knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer is it possible that "the gospel of their Redeemer" is the original gospel had by Adam at the beginning?</div><div><br /></div><div>When Nephi speaks of the seed of Lehi and the rest of the House of Israel knowing the very points of the doctrine of their Redeemer and also knowing how to come unto Him to be saved does that not require what the Prophet Joseph declared must be present to have saving knowledge even the ability to speak with Jehovah in a friendly and familiar manner?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to receive strength and nourishment from the true vine?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who is the true vine?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I am the true vine or head of the Father’s family, and my Father is the husbandman over that family. Every branch connected to me that does not produce fruit, he will remove, and every branch that produces fruit he will prune back so that it produces better fruit. You will bear fruit if you follow the things I have taught you. Stay connected to me as part of the Heavenly family, and I will nourish you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit if it is not connected to the vine, neither will you be able to bear fruit unless you remain connected with me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He that stays connected to me, and I to him, will be abundantly fruitful; but without the connection to me you will perish. If a man loses his connection with me, he is merely a withered branch; and men take the withered branches, cut them away and burn them. If you stay connected to me, and my words live in you, you will ask according to my will, and you will be given the ability to accomplish my will. It will please and vindicate my Father if you produce abundant fruit, and that will prove you follow me. Just like the Father has loved me, I have in turn likewise loved you. Therefore, remain connected with me and my love will be with you. If you practice my teachings you will always remain connected with me; just as I have kept my Father’s teachings and have remained connected with him. (John 15:1 - 10, T&C 171, The Testimony of St John 10 par. 17)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>As I presently understand it, to receive strength and nourishment from the true vine is to be connected to the true vine, Christ, in the family of God which can only happen as one knows the Lord face to face in this life and has a friendly and familiar communication with Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aren't such things the privileges that belong to the true fold of God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the fold of God could also be another name for the Order of the Son of God that the Father's belonged to?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we think at all that the Order would be just men?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the image of God and the Son of God is a husband and a wife wouldn't entering into the Order be done by both a husband and a wife together; both becoming children of Abraham?</div><div><br /></div><div>In the allegory of the olive tree is it possible that fruit that is worthy of preservation, being born from scattered branches being grafted back in to the natural tree, consists of people who are saved and have eternal life through diligence and faith on Jesus Christ?</div><div><br /></div><div>All of this must occur. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi speaking by the power of the Holy Ghost that was in him declared that all of this was <span style="color: #2b00fe;">pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>How powerful is this covenant that the Lord swore to Abraham in shaping the history of the world today?</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it this covenant that is driving the real work of the Lord in the latter days?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>In a revelation the Lord gave in 2017 He declared to a small group of gentiles </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For the sake of the promises to the fathers will I labor with you as a people, and not because of you, for you have not yet become what you must be to live together in peace. If you will hearken to my words, I will make you my people and my words will give you peace. Even a single soul who stirs up the hearts of others to anger can destroy the peace of all my people. Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. (T&C 157 par. 19)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>As a cultural gentile don't I also have the promise that if I perform the works of Abraham that I also can be adopted into the house of Abraham and become a child of Abraham possessing the very same priesthood?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared that this opportunity is open to the gentiles because the Lord intends to vindicate His covenant with Abraham.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi declared that the above <span style="color: #2b00fe;">will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the gentiles for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. </span></div><div> </div><div>Nephi's declaration to his brothers here is huge!</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now before our eyes the Lord is performing a work to restore Israel and vindicate His covenant with Abraham. All are invited to be a part of His work. I would invite all to come and be a part.</div><div><br /></div><div>We spoke in an earlier post of how events will occur which will cause those in power to stand and wonder because it had never occurred to them that the Lord would perform such marvelous works.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi speaks of just how much power the Lord will display as He vindicates His covenant with Abraham.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Nevertheless, after they have been nursed by the gentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the gentiles, and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders — behold, these things of which are spoken are temporal, for thus is the covenants of the Lord with our fathers. And it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel. And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land, and by them shall our seed be scattered. And after our seed is scattered, the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the gentiles which shall be of great worth unto our seed. Wherefore, it is likened unto their being nursed by the gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders. And it shall also be of worth unto the gentiles, and not only unto the gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of Heaven unto Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel. Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their first inheritance, and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness, and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel. (1 Nephi 22:6 - 12, NC 1 Nephi 7 par. 3)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>When the Lord made bare His arm in the eyes of one nation, Egypt, what happened with Egypt?</div><div><br /></div><div>This marvelous work has now begun among some few repentant gentiles and before the culmination of the Lord's strange act all the nations of the earth shall see the power of the Lord God as He makes bare His arm in the eyes of all the nations in order to bring about the vindication of His covenants and His gospel or Priesthood, the original gospel or Priesthood that was had by Adam at the beginning, unto the house of Israel.</div><div><br /></div><div>This subject is so great that it is impossible for me to share even a little of my limited understanding concerning it in this post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please read and study the scriptures and please read and study the two papers I referenced at the beginning and ask the Lord to open up this subject to you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am also curious about the Lord's and Peter's teachings concerning this covenant as they both taught members of the house of Israel, following the Lord's resurrection.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their words were almost identical.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the Lord to the Nephites.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people. Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me. And behold, ye are the children of the prophets, and ye are of the house of Israel, and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, the Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities — and this because ye are the children of the covenant. And after that ye were blessed, then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, unto the pouring out of the holy ghost through me upon the gentiles, which blessing upon the gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel... (3 Nephi 20:21 - 29, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 8)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's Peter to those at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.(Acts 3:17 - 26, NC Acts 2 par. 3)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>According to the Lord and Peter, the covenant with Abraham was also fulfilled at that time, first with the Lord coming among the house of Israel in mortality to turn away every one of them from their iniquities and then second the Lord declared to have the holy ghost poured out upon the gentiles through Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>How could this be spoken of by Christ and Peter as a fulfillment of this covenant in the meridian of time and yet Nephi's prophecy declares that this covenant will be fulfilled in the latter days?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that any time an individual becomes a child of Abraham by receiving the same gospel or "Priesthood" that Abraham received that their ministry is a continual fulfillment of that covenant?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be reasonable to declare that Christ was one of the seed of Abraham having done the works of Abraham?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Christs ministry bless all the kindreds of the earth?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for prophecy and covenants to have multiple fulfillments?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Nephi, in his statement to his brothers here could be understood to be saying something like, "when this covenant gets fulfilled in the latter days, by restoring the original religion of Adam to the earth, it will happen among a group of repentant gentiles and then it will come from them to the scattered house of Israel"; Nephi understanding that this covenant would be fulfilled any time one of Abrahams seed ministered among the children of men?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that for a period of three generations the true religion that existed with Adam and Abraham also existed among the Nephites following the visit of the resurrected Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>If so were not all families among the Nephites blessed by that religion or, in other words, blessed by the same gospel or Priesthood that Abraham possessed?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Did Christ declare to both those at Jerusalem and to the Nephites that He would visit His other sheep to make them all one fold?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we yet have any record of Christ's ministry beyond the Jews and the Nephites?</div><div><br /></div><div>At that time, was not Christ blessing all of the scattered kindreds of the earth by His poet resurrection ministry to bring unto them salvation and eternal life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't the Lord's ministry at that time be a fulfillment indeed of His covenant to Abraham?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>This covenant Nephi talks about is tremendously important and tremendously powerful. Thanks to Nephi for speaking about it and thanks to the Lord for condescending to make such a covenant that blesses every man woman and child on the earth.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-48765065533083453732021-12-15T19:49:00.000-08:002021-12-15T19:49:49.135-08:00They Shall be Grafted In<p> 1 Nephi 15:12 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of the Lord which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Israel? And are we not a branch of the house of Israel? And now the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness of the gentiles is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yea, for the space of many years and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the gentiles, and from the gentiles unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth. And he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the gentiles for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Isra’el was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of yhwh which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Isra’el? And are we <br />not a branch of the house of Isra’el? And now the thing which our father means concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the Milo HaGoyim is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yes, for the space of many years and many generations after the Mashiach shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fulness of the besorah of the Mashiach come unto the Goyim, and from the Goyim unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Isra’el and that they are the covenant people of yhwh. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the besorah of their Redeemer, which was taught unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their El Olam, their rock, and their salvation? Yes, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yes, will they not come unto the true fold of Elohim? Behold, I say unto you, yes, they shall be numbered again among the house of Isra’el; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father means. And he means that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Goyim. And he means that it shall come by way of the Goyim, that yhwh may show his power unto the Goyim for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Y’hudim, or of the house of Isra’el. Wherefore, our father has not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Isra’el, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant yhwh made to our father Avraham, saying, In your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If we look back, is it possible for us to see that Lehi talked to his sons about many many things?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Lehi rehearse to his sons concerning the destruction and captivity of the Jews as well as their return to Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah and the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Lehi talk to them of the baptism of the Messiah and also of His sacrifice and resurrection?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Lehi speak concerning the gospel that the Lord would preach among the Jews and the Jew's eventual dwindling in unbelief because of their rejection of His words?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Lehi speak to them of the Messiah manifesting Himself to the gentiles by the power of the Holy Ghost after His resurrection?</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Lehi speak of all these things before speaking of the House of Israel and how they would be scattered and how it would be by the coming forth of the fullness of the gospel to the gentiles that all of the scattered branches of the House of Israel who had dwindled in unbelief would be grafted back in to the true vine?</div><div><br /></div><div>With all of these many great things that Lehi declared, all of them being future expectations, why was the question from Nephi's brothers a question about the gentiles and the natural branches needing to be grafted back in?</div><div><br /></div><div>As I ask this next question I want to clarify that I am not, by asking this question, seeking to denigrate Nephi's brothers. I consider that their situation in posing the question mirrors my own situation. I hope that by looking into a possible reason for their asking of the question I might be able to discover a weakness I possess and maybe focus on getting rid of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The question I have is, is it more difficult to understand things that are spoken to us by the power of the holy ghost if we have strongly held traditions coloring our views?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Nephi's brothers struggled with what Lehi had declared concerning the branches of the House of Israel being grafted back in through the gentiles possessing the fullness of the gospel because their tradition dictated that the House of Israel would never be confounded and that the gentiles remained outside of the the promises given to Abraham; they, the gentiles, were not blood of Abraham? </div><div><br /></div><div>One reason I wonder concerning this is the following statements from Nephi's brothers.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceeding sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts. And now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying, We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work. And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. Yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years. And our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things save it were death. And it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions. Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy. And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people, for they keep the statutes and the judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people. And our father hath judged them and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his word; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us. (1 Nephi 17:19 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 17)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Nephi's brothers considered that it was impossible for the House of Israel to dwindle in unbelief and be scattered because they knew, from their deeply held tradition, that the people at Jerusalem were righteous because they did strictly observe the law of Moses?</div><div><br /></div><div>John the Baptist, seeking to disabuse the Jewish rulers of his day of their false ideas, declared the following to them concerning their tradition of being children of Abraham.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair and a leather girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan. And many were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Why is it that you receive not the preaching of him whom God has sent? If you receive not this in your hearts, you receive not me. And if you receive not me, you receive not him of whom I am sent to bear record; and for your sins, you have no cloak. Repent therefore and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, We are the children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able, of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also, the ax is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which brings not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. (Matthew 3:4 - 10, NC Matthew 2 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to look at history and see that scripture, throughout all time, has been either misapplied or wrested or both by people, whether well intentioned or not, and that results in the creation of traditions that are handed down from parents to children over time until these false traditions are riveted in the hearts of children so that the children are unable to see truth because it runs up against their tradition?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we have any examples of this in the Book of Mormon?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength; yet they were a strong people as to the strength of men. They were a wild, and ferocious, and a bloodthirsty people, believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this: Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea, and again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance after they had crossed the sea — and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness. And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord. They were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord. And again they were wroth with him when they had arrived to the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him. And again they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him and took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them. And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them. Therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi. For this very cause has king Laman — by his cunning, and lying craftiness, and his fair promises — deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land that they may destroy them. Yea, and we have suffered this many years in the land. (Mosiah 10:11 - 18, NC Mosiah 6 par. 12)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't it take several generations before the Lord, who sees the thoughts of all men's hearts, determined that He could send His servants, the sons of Mosiah, and later the brothers Nephi and Lehi, to preach righteousness among the Lamanites at a point in time where the Lamanites would be able to let go of the traditions of their fathers?</div><div><br /></div><div>Prior to these times hadn't the Nephites tried to restore the Lamanites and the Lamanites would not be restored because of their traditions?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen. And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God, but our labors were vain. Their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature, that they became wild and ferocious, and a bloodthirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness, feeding upon beasts of prey, dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girted about their loins and their heads shaven. And their skill was in the bow, and the cimeter, and the ax; and many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat. And they were continually seeking to destroy us. (Enos 1:19 - 20, NC Enos 1 par. 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Do I adhere to traditions today that have the effect of blinding my eyes to truth?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible for me to hold traditions that cause me to reject the words of the Lord sent through one of His servants?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would recommend a book titled <u>Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes,</u> "Cultural Studies in the Gospels".</div><div><br /></div><div>Two things occurred while I was reading this book.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) I saw how my own personal and cultural traditions, handed down through generations, have always colored how I have interpreted the New Testament Gospels and the teachings of Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) I saw how the Lord's mission to the Jews both confronted and offended the traditional views the Jews held onto. In Nazareth, the Lord's home town, this was exceedingly enraging to the local populace. It was always enraging to the ruling class.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe, for me, that it is only by being willing to listen to and being willing to consider things that possibly oppose my own deeply held traditions and by being willing to let go of traditions handed down to me for generations, if I am persuaded that they are false, that I will ever be able to be a truth seeker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do children hold traditions when they are small or do they allow traditions to keep them from listening to other views?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Are children easily entreated?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that these are qualities that the Lord had in mind when He declared that we need to become as a little child?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be easier for me to ponder upon and give careful and solemn thought to the Lord's words if I am willing to listen to and consider others' points of view?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the Lord's words may come from completely surprising and unexpected sources?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that to study out something in your mind before approaching the Lord, which applies to us as well as it did to Oliver Cowdery, includes listening to and considering points of view that may contradict our deeply held traditions concerning a matter?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I consider that if I were in the position of being one of Nephi's brothers that I would find myself in just the exact situation as they were at this time in the record?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi begins to expound on his father, Lehi's, words by explaining a topic that repeats several times in the Book of Mormon; this being the second repeat of this topic in the Book of Mormon record during their sojourn in the valley of Laman by the river of Lemuel among Lehi's family.</div><div><br /></div><div>If a subject is repeated in scripture, should I consider that it would be important to understand?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it reasonable to conclude from the contents of the scripture record and from world history that Lehi's words concerning the dwindling of his seed in unbelief and their scattering by the gentiles and the scattering of the whole House of Israel have been fulfilled?</div><div><br /></div><div>If the dwindling in unbelief and the scattering has been completed then where are we now with respect to the fulfillment of Lehi's other words <span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the gentiles, and from the gentiles unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth. And he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the gentiles for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand it, an opportunity to receive the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah was presented by the Lord to the gentiles at the beginning of the Restoration, with the Prophet Joseph possessing the power and authority to establish this fulness among the gentiles if the gentiles would repent and respond to the words of the Lord through Joseph.</div><div><br /></div><div>During this time, at the very beginning, the first mission labor was to the Lamanites.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is a history of that attempt.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Joseph Smith was born in 1805. Two years earlier, in 1803, we have the Louisiana Purchase. We<br />fought a war in 1812, and our enemies from Great Britain managed to co-opt the Indian tribes as<br />their ally in the war of 1812. We fought Great Britain back in 1776, then again in 1812. In 1812 they<br />managed to persuade the Indian tribes to come aboard with them and fight. So Americans were<br />fighting Indians in addition to the Brits. We decided we can't have that.<br /><br />On September 21, 1823, through the night to September 22, the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith.<br />By June of the next year (1824), the Rev. Isaac McCoy was in Washington D.C. lobbying for a new<br />law to be adopted. He would stay, lobby, irritate, agitate, persuade and finally convince Congress<br />there needed to be something done to prevent anything like the Indian alliance with a foreign power<br />from ever threatening the United States again. We've learned by sad experience, that when Indians<br />get a foreign power, as they are pleased to call it, they will immediately begin to excise Americans.<br />So Isaac McCoy made his case. In April 1830, the church was organized. Six weeks later, after the<br />organization of the church, the Indian Removal Act was passed in May 1830. The work that the Rev.<br />McCoy undertook had borne fruit. With the adoption of the Indian Removal Act, all Indians inside<br />the borders of the United States (as it was then configured), were forcibly removed from the Eastern<br />United States and placed into part of the property purchased in the Louisiana Purchase. This area<br />was given the name "the Indian Territory." All Indians were relocated west of Missouri, on a north south<br />line, that divided the United States from Indian territory.<br /><br />Just as the mission among the Lamanites began, President Andrew Jackson, enforcing the law<br />adopted in 1830, was forcibly moving all the Indians. Remember the Trail of Tears and all the rest of<br />that? This was part of the Indian Relocation Act. Have you asked yourself why the Delawares<br />wound up living in the Louisiana Purchase area?<br /><br />President Andrew Jackson was relocating all Indians to just over the western border of the Missouri<br />line. Therefore, at that moment in time, when the first four missionaries left on their mission, if they<br />were going to locate any of the American Indians, they had to go to Missouri. That was where to<br />encounter them. There was no other choice, you had to go there.<br /><br />As it turned out, the location of Independence, Missouri was exactly in the middle of the areas<br />allocated to the different Indian tribes. Independence was at the center of the land adjacent to the<br />place the Indians were located. It also happened to be the trailhead for the only trail that came out<br />West, the Santa Fe Trail. This was the only trail west from Missouri to the Pacific.<br /><br />At the moment when the first missionaries went out, Independence was the center of the relocated<br />Indians. As for the Delawares, we have a state on the East Coast named after their tribe. But the<br />tribe was located at that time on the other side of Missouri, in the Louisiana Purchase property.<br />Parley Pratt, as one of the first missionaries, went and preached to the Delawares. Have you ever<br />scratched your head and wondered what it was the Delaware were doing on the other side of<br />Missouri's Western boundary? Chief Anderson (that was his American name) Chief Anderson of the<br />Delaware tribe was taught by Parley Pratt. Parley gave him a Book of Mormon. You've read about<br />that in The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt.<br /><br />At the time the Indian agent was Richard W. Cummins. The Indian agent forced the missionaries to<br />leave the Indian territory. In fact he threatened to take them to Fort Leavenworth and incarcerate<br />them if they didn't leave the Indian territory.<br /><br />Delilah McCoy Likens, was the daughter of the Rev. Isaac McCoy. This was the same Isaac McCoy<br />who was responsible for the adoption of the Indian Relocation Act. Delilah was happy to inform<br />her father in a letter she wrote on July 31,1831 of the following. "The Mormonites are about to take the<br />country. They are preaching and baptizing through the country, and are trying to proceed West to find the new Jerusalem, which they say is toward the Rocky Mountains. The agent has driven them off this side of the line and forbids their crossing it."<br /><br />It was impossible because of the law, the agents, the circumstances, and the threat of arrest for “Mormonite” missionaries to get any closer to the Indians than Independence, Missouri. If they<br />stepped across the boundary they would have been arrested and sent to Fort Leavenworth. Rev. Isaac McCoy was quoted in the daily Missouri Republican, November 28, 1833 as saying: "The Mormons as I suppose from information, came here so ignorant of laws regulating intercourse with the Indian tribes,<br />that they expected to pass on into the Indian Territory, procure lands of the Indians, aid them and adopting habits of civilization, and attach them to their party. At the western line of Missouri they were arrested by the proper authorities of government."<br /><br />It becomes increasingly clear the original target of the first missionary effort had nothing to do with<br />stopping at Independence, Missouri. It had a great deal to do with going into the western mountains,<br />the Rocky Mountains, and establishing Zion. But the good Rev. Isaac McCoy, the father of the<br />Indian Relocation Act, whose daughter was there on the scene married to a minister, combined to<br />stop the missionaries. All these parties were motivated by false religious ideals. Of course, both then<br />and now, the best way to oppose Zion is always to have false religious ideas. The required false<br />religionists were right on the spot at the very moment when, at its incipient stage, under the<br />guidance of Joseph Smith, the first effort began to establish the New Jerusalem. They couldn't<br />accomplish it then...<br /><br />...I want to read to you from Joseph Smith's history, at the very end of his life on Saturday, June<br />22,1844 five days before he would be slain. You can read this in The Documented History of the Church, volume 6, page 547. "Hyrum came out of the mansion and gave his hand to Reynolds Cahoon, at the same time saying, 'The company of men are seeking to kill my brother Joseph, and the Lord has warned him to flee to the Rocky Mountains to save his life. Goodbye brother Cahoon, we shall see you again.' In a few minutes afterward Joseph came<br />from his family, his tears were flowing fast. He held a handkerchief to his face, following Brother Hyrum without uttering a word." So Joseph received a revelation on June 22, 1844 telling him to go to the Rocky Mountains. In June 1844 there were no more Indians in the area around Independence. They left. The location in 1831 was temporary, the circumstances were fluid, and by 1844 things had changed. (Forty Years in Mormonism Series, Denversnuffer.com, "Zion", Lecture 6, pgs. 161 - 164 )<br /></span><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that a necessary part of completing the Restoration is to present the fulness of the gospel to the children of Lehi in a way that they can be grafted back in to the natural tree. That is part of the responsibility of possessing the Book of Mormon; to present it to the descendants of the writers of the text and to the Jews who are also children of promise.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also presently believe that this must be done while the power and authority is present on earth to re-establish the religion that was had among Adam in the beginning, the fulness of the gospel. Joseph was given this power and authority from heaven.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that when Joseph and Hyrum were killed by the conspiracy of traitors, the saints having failed to live up to the requirement the Lord had established in Nauvoo, that power and authority to complete the Restoration was taken from the earth; Heaven was offended.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was prophesied to happen by the Lord at the time He visited the Nephites following His resurrection.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...and, thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations, and if they shall do all these things, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, Behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them. And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will shew unto thee, O house of Israel, that the gentiles shall not have power over you, but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fullness of my gospel. But if the gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold, they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. And I will not suffer my people who are of the house of Israel to go through among them and tread them down, saith the Father. But if they will not turn unto me and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them — yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel — that they shall go through among them and shall tread them down and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden underfoot of my people, O house of Israel. (3 Nephi 16:8 - 15, NC 3 Nephi 7 par. 5)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, as I presently understand it, the task to take the fulness of the gospel to the seed of Lehi is still a future expectation for a group of gentiles who will finally repent and work towards obtaining the fulness of the gospel that the gentiles or gentile church initially rejected.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the founding of the New Jerusalem and Zion as well as the grafting back in of the scattered tribes of Israel, with the descendants of Lehi being one of the scattered branches, are events that are connected and will necessarily occur alongside each other or one will come about as a result of the work to accomplish the other.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When we have an opportunity to accomplish something with the approval of the Lord, we need to<br />do our part. The Lord is going to be the one who ultimately decides where the actual<br />accomplishment will take place. When it takes place, it's going to be in the mountains, and you need<br />not guess which mountains. The mountains are going to be out here in the West. It will be exactly<br />where the first missionaries were sent. They were stopped by the confluence of the law, hostile<br />society, and the management of the Indian tribes in 1831. When they tried to cross and go west, they<br />were threatened with arrest. They decided if they couldn't go west to find the location for a New<br />Jerusalem, they would do what they could as close to their target as they could get. They made the<br />practical decision to take the local, relocated Indians, and establish Zion right there on that spot.<br />The Lord gave a series of Revelations in which He essentially said, "If you can do that, then do that.<br />And that is acceptable to me and that will be Zion. Go to and have at it." When they failed He<br />essentially said: "Here is why you didn't pull it off: your jarrings, your envies, your lusts, your<br />contentions, that's why you didn't pull it off." But He has also said, in one of those extraordinarily<br />clever things the Lord does throughout history: "Zion will not be moved out of its place." </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">(Forty Years in Mormonism Series, Denversnuffer.com, "Zion", Lecture 6, pg. 164 )</span><div><br /></div><div>Is now such a time when it is possible again, following four generations of cursing, for a repentant group of gentiles to seek after the fulness of the gospel and fulfill the responsibility to take the fulness of the gospel to the seed of Lehi so that they can receive everything Nephi told his brothers here?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Please consider the following as we look at how this must be accomplished.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In 3 Nephi chapter 21, the Lord talked about some things that become exceptionally relevant in light of what we have covered today. “And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion.” [This is addressing all of those various remnants, wherever they may be found, so long as they are some residue of the house of Israel.] “And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles [You see, the Gentiles had to first receive some things] that they [the Gentiles] may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them [the Gentiles]. Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them [some constituent group of the Gentiles] of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you.”<br /><br />It cannot come from any source other than from the Father. The Father and Christ being one. The authority to minister and to deliver His Gospel must come from Them. The power to baptize before the end will be brought forth from some remnant of the Gentiles who will bear it.<br /><br />“For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the Gentiles] should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them [the Gentiles] unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel.”<br /><br />“O house of Israel” is much more than one group. “O house of Israel” is inclusive of all the scattered bits and remnants, wherever they may be found anywhere on earth. I talked about fulfillment of covenants when we were in Centerville. All the covenants that apply to His people Israel, and the remnants, need to be gathered into one group.<br /><br />“Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles.” [Not their “book,” but their “works.” Not their book, which has been brought out in 1830, but the “works” to bring the Doctrine of Christ to them. Someone must establish repentance, declare Christ’s doctrine, and baptize by the authority of Christ, to have people then baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost. These are the works.]“Shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles.”<br /><br />That is what He now needs to do with some who will assist in the work. That is what He intends to do if you will receive it. “For this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.”<br /><br />You can’t get there except through the power of the doctrine and the power of the ordinance of baptism performed with power. God has given us the way, and told us how it is to be performed with the exactness, fidelity and language given to us by Christ Himself. “And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.”<br /><br />All of Israel will receive this witness that His work has commenced. “And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant. Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ…”<br /><br />These are Christ’s words. We touched on these words in the beginning back in Boise. It was quoted by the angel Moroni referring to Joseph Smith, Acts 3, verses 22- 23. “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”<br /><br />That prophet is Christ. It does not say Christ is going to come and deliver His words, it says “His words.” “Those who will not believe my words, who am Jesus Christ, they shall be cut off.” And the angel Moroni said to Joseph in verse 40 of the Joseph Smith History, “The day had not yet come when “they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,” but soon would come.”<br /><br />That prophet is Christ. His words are what I have spoken to you today. We must all respond to His words, because if we will not we will be cut off from among the people. ("98: God in Our Day, Part 2", Denver Snuffer Podcast, December 18, 2019)<br /></span><br />In the previous post "The House of Israel Shall No More Be Confounded" I shared my living witness that this is the time presented to us now as gentiles where we have again the opportunity, with the power and authority existing on the earth, to repent and be a part of this work now underway.<div><br /></div><div>The Lord is setting forth His hand again this second time to recover His people Israel and He has established ordinances which are intended to bring gentiles into the House of Israel which places upon those adopted gentiles the responsibility to take these ordinances and this gospel to scattered Israel.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a reoccurring theme throughout the Book of Mormon. </div><div><br /></div><div>My present belief and understanding is that the fulfillment of these words of father Lehi are underway among a group of repentant gentiles who have accepted a covenant that God has provided for everyone on the earth if they so desire to receive it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is impossible for me to say what ought to be said concerning this matter in this blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>I invite everyone to participate in the work now underway and I again give my living witness that this work is God's work.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have studied the scriptures and the words the Lord is declaring now, I have partaken of the ordinances He has renewed again, and I have participated in a very small way in this work. All of this has enlarged my soul and has become delicious to me. That is how I know that this work is God's. This is my living witness. <br /><br />I believe that this topic is critical to understand if we are to be able to get our bearings, where we are before God, in the history of the world we now find ourselves in.</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-40874575017306828412021-12-05T19:36:00.002-08:002021-12-05T19:36:51.363-08:00The Spirit of the Lord Which was in Our Father<p><br /></p><p>1 Nephi 15:12 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of the Lord which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Israel? And are we not a branch of the house of Israel? And now the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness of the gentiles is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yea, for the space of many years and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the gentiles, and from the gentiles unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel and that they are the covenant people of the Lord. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock, and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, yea, they shall be numbered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father meaneth. And he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the gentiles for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 3</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I say unto you that the house of Isra’el was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of yhwh which was in our father. And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Isra’el? And are we <br />not a branch of the house of Isra’el? And now the thing which our father means concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the Milo HaGoyim is that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief — yes, for the space of many years and many generations after the Mashiach shall be manifested in body unto the children of men — then shall the fulness of the besorah of the Mashiach come unto the Goyim, and from the Goyim unto the remnant of our seed. And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Isra’el and that they are the covenant people of yhwh. And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the besorah of their Redeemer, which was taught unto their fathers by him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their El Olam, their rock, and their salvation? Yes, at that day, will they not receive strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yes, will they not come unto the true fold of Elohim? Behold, I say unto you, yes, they shall be numbered again among the house of Isra’el; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree; and this is what our father means. And he means that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Goyim. And he means that it shall come by way of the Goyim, that yhwh may show his power unto the Goyim for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Y’hudim, or of the house of Isra’el. Wherefore, our father has not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Isra’el, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant yhwh made to our father Avraham, saying, In your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Can we see here that Nephi considers the words of his father Lehi to be scripture?</div><div><br /></div><div>He makes the comment to his brothers that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">I say unto you that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree by the spirit of the Lord which was in our father.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>This is what the Lord has declared about words spoken by the power of the spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Firstly, my servant Orson was called by his ordinance to proclaim the everlasting gospel, by the spirit of the living God, from people to people and from land to land, in the congregations of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning with and expounding all scriptures unto them. And behold and lo, this is an example unto all those who are ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth. And this is the example unto them that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the holy ghost. And whatever they shall speak, when moved upon by the holy ghost, shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O you my servants. (D&C 68:1 - 5, T&C 55 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>I don't know if Orson Hyde ever attained to what the Lord invited him to attain to, what the Lord is offering here, but I would like to apply what the Lord declared here to Lehi and Nephi to see if they came up to and qualified under the above revelation, because my present understanding is that the Lord does not change and all are alike to God.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does the Lord mean about <span style="color: #2b00fe;">all those who are ordained unto this priesthood?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>What is "this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is priesthood period?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would recommend that everyone read and re-read and study the transcript of the lecture on "Priesthood" given in the <u>40 Years in Mormonism</u> series of lectures found for free as a PDF download at Denversnuffer.com in the downloads section.</div><div><br /></div><div>How would someone know if they have been "ordained" unto "this priesthood" or if someone they are hearing from has been "ordained" unto "this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the scriptures give the absolute best examples to use as a measure for indicating whether one is in possession of "this priesthood" or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord declares that whosoever has "this priesthood", they are given a mission to "go forth".</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becomes every man who has been warned to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse and their sins are upon their own heads. He that seeks me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken. (D&C 88: 81 - 83, T&C 86 par. 15)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>What happens if someone "goes forth" without having "this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it right or proper for someone to "go forth" based on their own initiative?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">...Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips, for behold, verily I say that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord and use it in vain, having not authority. Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins and I the Lord will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off. (D&C 63:57 - 63, T&C 50 par. 14)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord further declares that whosoever has "this priesthood" and is given a mission to "go forth" will speak as they are moved upon by the holy ghost.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would it be important for someone who has been sent forth to speak only as they are moved upon by the holy ghost?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen. (D&C 1:37 - 39, T&C 54 par. 7)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If the one of the Lord's servants speaks then the Lord is bound by those words, is He not? The Lord has declared that it is the same whether the Lord speaks the words or whether the servants speak the words they are commanded to speak by the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Couldn't perilous unspeakable damage be done by a Servant of the Lord speaking outside of the bounds of the power of the holy ghost?</div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand it, it is only by abiding by these things that the words of an individual actually become scripture, the will of the Lord, the words of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that only those who attain to this work are called by the Lord "His servants".</div><div><br /></div><div>What do the scriptures have to say about all of this?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there examples given?</div><div><br /></div><div>As we look at these things can we detect that Lehi and Nephi have attained to this work?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be critically important to understand this in order to accept and receive knowledge that will truly save and reject anything that will not save?</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, what about "priesthood" or "this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div>I mentioned that I believe that the scriptures are the best teachers concerning "this priesthood". They allow us a clearer understanding of what "priesthood" is?</div><div><br /></div><div>What does the Lord say concerning "this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And also, all they who receive this Priesthood receive me, says the Lord, for he that receives my servants receives me, and he that receives me receives my Father, and he that receives my Father receives my Father’s kingdom; therefore, all that my Father has shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and the covenant which belongs to the Priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the Priesthood receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved. But whoever breaks this covenant after he has received it, and altogether turns therefrom, shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come, and all those who come not unto this Priesthood which you have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, namely the twenty-third day of September, A.D. 1832, eleven high priests, save one, by my own voice out of the Heavens. And even I have given the Heavenly host and my angels charge concerning you. (D&C 84:35 - 42, T&C 82 par. 17)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord here states that all who "receive this Priesthood" receives Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does it mean to "receive" the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>How does one come to "receive" the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lord declared that whoever receives "His servants" receives Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>It appears that one must receive "His servants" before they are able to receive Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have talked above about servants. Who are His servants?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"For he that receiveth my servants receive me." [I suggested in Centerville that the word "servants" in this context meant angels. And “angel,” the word is derived from a Greek word that simply means "messenger." The messenger can't be on their own errand. They have to have a message that is being brought from the Lord. Therefore if the message originates with the Lord and the message is delivered by a messenger, it does not matter if the one delivering the message is a mortal. We find in the Book of Mormon where Jacob was told what he was to preach by an angel the night before he taught. (See 2 Ne. 10: 3.) King Benjamin said his sermon was based on what the angel told him to teach, after awakening him at night. (See Mosiah 3: 2-23.) In that context, both Jacob and King Benjamin were angels, or messengers with a message from God. Therefore, as long as they bear a message from the Lord, they fit the definition.] <br />"For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me." [That is, if the content of the message comes from the voice of God, and it is coming to you from Him, and is authentically His message, and you receive it as if from His own mouth, then you have received from Him His voice. But it doesn't end there.] (Forty Years in Mormonism, "Priesthood", Denver Snuffer, pgs. 89 - 90)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible to hear a message from a "servant" of the Lord and not "receive" that message?</div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't that happen all the time throughout the record of scripture?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Lehi and Nephi "receive" the "servants" of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah — my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days — and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart in behalf of his people... (1 Nephi 1:2 - 3, NC 1 Nephi 1 pars. 2 - 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it apparent from the above that Lehi "received" the messages from the "servants" of the Lord sent to Jerusalem and that he was penitent?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart in behalf of his people. And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him, and he saw and heard much. And because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly. And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem. And he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen. And being thus overcome with the spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the Heavens open and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of Heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noonday. And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament. And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth. And the first came and stood before my father and gave unto him a book and bade him that he should read. And it came to pass that as he read he was filled with the spirit of the Lord. And he read, saying, Woe, woe unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations. Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem: that it should be destroyed and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword and many should be carried away captive into Babylon. And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord, such as, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the Heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish! And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God, for his soul did rejoice and his whole heart was filled because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him. (1 Nephi 1:5 - 15, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it apparent here that Lehi after "receiving" the servants of the Lord also "received" the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, is it apparent here that Lehi after "receiving" the Lord also "received" the Father?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Therefore, I would that ye should know that after the Lord had shewn so many marvelous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold, he went forth among the people and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard. And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them, for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations. And he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a messiah and also the redemption of the world. And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him, yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and stoned and slain; and they also sought his life that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen because of their faith to make them mighty, even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:18 - 20, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 5)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible to detect that Lehi, after "receiving" first the Lord's "servants" and then the Lord and then the Father now possesses "this priesthood" the Lord revealed in T&C 82?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we detect from the above that Lehi now has been given the following charge concerning "this Priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And behold and lo, this is an example unto all those who are ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth. And this is the example unto them that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the holy ghost. And whatever they shall speak, when moved upon by the holy ghost, shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O you my servants.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If Lehi became a "servant" of the Lord, then did the words he spoke by the power of the holy ghost contain the power of God unto salvation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Lehi speak by the power of the holy ghost unto his children?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account. But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands. Wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life. (1 Nephi 1:16 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 4)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Did Lehi become a "servant" of the Lord to his family?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless, being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I cried unto the Lord. And behold, he did visit me and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his holy spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words. But behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words. And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord for them. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently with lowliness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper and shall be led to a land of promise, yea, even a land which I have prepared for you, a land which is choice above all other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed to stir them up in the ways of remembrance. (1 Nephi 1:16 - 24, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 9)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did Nephi "receive" a "servant" of the Lord by believing all the words spoken by his father, Lehi?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Nephi also "receive" the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father... (1 Nephi 3:1, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 10)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... for I spake unto him as a man speaketh, for I beheld that he was in the form of a man. Yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another. (1 Nephi 11:11, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 7)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Did Nephi also "receive the Father?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that the following was a conversation with Nephi, the Lord, and the Father all present together.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">But behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying, After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the holy ghost, and can speak with a new tongue — yea, even with the tongue of angels — and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. And I heard a voice from the Father saying, Yea, the words of my beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shewn unto me: that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the holy ghost. And then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life. Yea, ye have entered in by the gate, ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son, and ye have received the holy ghost, which witness of the Father and the Son unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way, ye should receive. (2 Nephi 31:14 - 18, NC 2 Nephi 13 par. 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>By following the same path as his father, Lehi, did Nephi also come up to being "ordained" unto this priesthood"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Was Nephi made a "servant" of the Lord because following his receiving of "this priesthood" Nephi was sent to his brothers?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Do Nephi's words as spoken by the holy ghost now contain the power of God unto salvation for his brothers and also to us?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is there a pattern here?</div><div><br /></div><div>Lehi and Nephi are two examples but aren't the scriptures completely full of examples of people who have followed this same path?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that "this priesthood" has everything to do with a real life face to face association in mortality with both the Father and the Son. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">... Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah, that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the keys, the covenants, the power, and the glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning, and the offering of sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 171, T&C 140 par. 16) </span></div><div><br /></div><div>It has absolutely nothing to do with a position of authority in an organization.</div><div><br /></div><div>Only a person possessing "this priesthood" can speak when moved upon by the holy ghost so that their words become scripture, the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, and the power of the Lord unto salvation.<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Those who possess "this priesthood" do not claim authority over others to direct or to compel them. </div><div><br /></div><div>They possess knowledge from God that they are commanded to impart to the children of men according to the heed and diligence the children of men give to the words of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are preachers of righteousness.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I presently understand it, "this priesthood" can be and is possessed by women and children as well as men.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please consider the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that after I, the Lord God, had driven them out, that Adam began to till the earth, and to have dominion over all the beasts of the field, and to eat his bread by the sweat of the brow as I, the Lord, had commanded him. And Eve also, his wife, did labor with him. And Adam knew his wife, and she bore unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth. And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land, and to tend flocks; and they also begot sons and daughters.<br />And Adam called upon the name of the Lord, and Eve also, his wife; and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden speaking unto them, and they saw him not, for they were shut out from his presence. And he gave unto them commandment that they should worship the Lord their God and should offer the firstlings of their flocks for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.<br />And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying, Why do you offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him, I know not but the Lord commanded me. And then the angel spoke, saying, This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father who is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, you shall do all that you do in the name of the Son. And you shall repent and call upon God in the name of the Son for ever more.<br />And in that day the holy ghost fell upon Adam, which bore record of the Father and the Son, saying, I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and for ever, that as you have fallen, you may be redeemed — and all mankind, even as many as choose. And in that day, Adam blessed God, and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying, Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again, in my flesh I shall see God. And Eve his wife heard all these things and was glad, saying, Were it not for our transgression, we should never had seed, and should never had known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God gives unto all the obedient. And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. (Moses 5:1 - 12, OC Genesis 3 pars. 1 - 4)</span><br /><br />The events in the beginning occurred with a husband and wife together.<div><br /></div><div>They both were brought up to receive "this priesthood" and then they together were sent as "servants" of the Lord to their sons and daughters.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the account in 3 Nephi of the Lord's appearance to the Nephites did not all there, men, women, and children, all receive the Lord's "servants" (both mortal men and angels), and the Lord Himself?</div><div><br /></div><div>As we read about the Lord praying to the Father for those in the multitude, words that were understood in the hearts of the multitude but they were incapable of speaking, is it possible to consider that at that point they might have also received the Father?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that all men, women, and children in the multitude were "ordained" unto "this priesthood" at this time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can someone who has not received "this priesthood" speak the words and will of the Lord unto salvation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a critical principle to understand in this world?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there charlatans and those who suppose they have authority to speak in the name of the Lord, by virtue of holding an office in an organization, who deceive many?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves “in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,” and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 206)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it part of my test in mortality to figure out which individuals are true servants and which ones are charlatans and liars?</div><div><br />Another item of note is that Nephi is expounding upon the scriptural words of Lehi to teach his brothers.<div><br /></div><div>Couldn't Nephi, who has just seen a vision of all things, speak to his brothers using his own witness and declarations instead of expounding on his father's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would he not speak some of the marvelous things he has just seen?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this event with Nephi and his brothers similar in any way to the Lord teaching two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus following His resurrection?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25 - 27, NC Luke 14 par. 2)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Couldn't the resurrected Lord have declared an infinite number of new things to His two disciples?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why did He expound the words of scripture to them?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Jacob at the temple among the Nephites?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy, that the things which this prophet Zenos spake concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass. And in the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power to nourish and prune his vineyard. And after that, the end soon cometh. And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard, and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place. And the world shall be burned with fire. And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long. And they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people, but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God. (Jacob 6:1 - 4, NC Jacob 4 par. 1)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Why did Jacob, in order to prophesy, recite the scriptural words of the prophet Zenos and then expound on those words and prophesy that Zenos' words would come to pass?</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously Jacob has witnessed things that allow him to understand the allegory of Zenos. Why not declare those things in his own words?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a sign that Nephi really is a "servant" of the Lord because he is expounding scripture?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a sign that Nephi is meek?</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A difficult attribute to recognize, it is found in the relationship between man and God, not between man and man; to be meek is to follow the Lord’s will, even when one doesn’t want to do so, even when it brings one into conflict with friends, family, or community. Meekness is measured as between the servant and the Lord, not as between the servant and his critics. Meekness, among other things, involves a conscious effort to avoid harming or offending others. It requires an absence of pride or self-will. It is not insistent upon being recognized or applauded. It denotes a willingness to suffer without complaint. Others may never recognize the meek, because meekness does not vaunt itself nor demand notice. There is great freedom in meekness. It relieves the meek from the burden of seeking their acclaim. It gives them the security of feeling God’s approval for their course of living. It is private. Meekness means a person voluntarily restrains himself and uses the absolute minimum control or authority over others. It is related to humility. Humility is voluntary submission to the control or power of God — in other words, obedience. Meekness affects a person’s relationship with his fellow man. There is nothing showy or attention-grabbing about the meek. Instead, they are content to know they have a relationship and power with God. Unless God requires something to be done or revealed, the meek do not voluntarily put this authority on display. (T&C Glossary of Terms, "Meekness")</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is there anything showy or attention-grabbing about Nephi expounding on the scriptural words of his father, Lehi?</div><div><br /></div><div>By declaring only his father Lehi's words and expounding upon them does Nephi avoid the danger of possibly binding the Lord through his, Nephi's words?</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Weren't Lehi's words what caused Nephi to ponder and to desire to see the same thing; which led to him receiving his great vision?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Nephi considers that his father's words would have the greatest effect on the hearts of his brothers to cause them to ponder and receive the very same thing he has just received?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I am unwilling to ponder and give heed and diligence to the words of scripture and ask the Father for understanding of them would I give heed and diligence to "new" and "spectacular" things being spoken to me?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Truly I say unto you, I will liken you unto the rich man. For there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus who was laid at his gate, full of sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried of the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise, Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed so that they who would pass from here to you cannot, neither can they pass to us that would come from there. Then he said, I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one should rise from the dead. (Luke 16:19 - 31, NC Luke 9 par. 20)</span></div></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I am to believe the Lord, then I presently understand that if I do not believe the scriptures, Moses and the prophets, and give heed and diligence to their words then I would not be persuaded by some other marvelous thing even by one rising from the dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Such is the power the Lord declares is contained in the scriptures, or in other words, the words of HIs "servants" spoken as they were filled with the spirit of the Lord. </div><div><br /></div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463128480427439088.post-74667101888813933882021-11-20T19:33:00.004-08:002021-11-20T19:33:53.722-08:00The Lord Maketh No Such Thing Known Unto Us<p> 1 Nephi 15:6 - 11, NC 1 Nephi 4 par, 2</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that after I had received strength, I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations. And they said, Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the gentiles. And I said unto them, Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me, We have not, for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them, How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish because of the hardness of your hearts? Do ye not remember the thing which the Lord hath said, If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you?</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 4 par. 2</p><p><br /></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that after I had received strength, I spoke unto my brothers, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations. And they said, Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father has spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Goyim. And I said unto them, Have you inquired of yhwh? And they said unto me, We have not, for yhwh makes no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them, How is it that you do not keep the mitzvot of yhwh? How is it that you will perish because of the hardness of your hearts? Do you not remember the thing which yhwh has said, If you will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that you shall receive, with diligence in keeping my mitzvot, surely these things shall be made known unto you?</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is Nephi's lack of strength following his amazing vision a detail that demonstrates that Nephi really has encountered heaven?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is such a condition consistent with what occurred to his father, Lehi?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart in behalf of his people. And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him, and he saw and heard much. And because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly. And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem. And he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen... (1 Nephi 1:5 - 15, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 3)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it consistent with the experience Moses had?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass that Moses looked and beheld the world upon which he was created. And as Moses beheld the world, and the ends thereof, and all the children of men who are and who were created, of the same he greatly marveled and wondered. And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon him, and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before he did again receive his natural strength like unto man. And he said unto himself, Now for this once I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed. But now my eyes have beheld God — but not my natural eyes, but my spiritual, for my natural eyes could not have beheld, for I should have withered and died in his presence. But his glory was upon me and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him. (Moses 1:8 - 11, OC Genesis 1 par. 2)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is it consistent with what the Prophet Joseph experienced?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength, but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fire piece, Mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, Never mind, all is well; I am well enough off. I then told my mother, I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true. (Joseph Smith History 1:20, T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 2 par. 6)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Is it possible in this conversation with his brothers, to detect here that Nephi is now beginning his reign and ministry among his family?</div><div><br /></div><div>Had Nephi ministered to his brothers before this time? </div><div><br /></div><div>Can it be seen in the record of the Book of Mormon that Nephi had to qualify to be called to minister to his brothers?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did Nephi have to be obedient to the commands of God in order to receive what was necessary to qualify to minister to his brothers and his family?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we find in the scriptures a more current example of how an individual would qualify to minister to others?</div><div><br /></div><div>What about Hyrum?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a command from the Lord to Hyrum when Hyrum expressed a desire to be a part of the Lord's work.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, this is your work: to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosened. Then, if you desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. But now hold your peace, study my word which has gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereunto. Behold, you are Hyrum, my son. Seek the kingdom of God and all things shall be added according to that which is just. Build upon my rock, which is my gospel. Deny not the spirit of revelation nor the spirit of prophecy, for woe unto him that denies these things; therefore, treasure up in your hearts until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth. Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires and have thrust in their sickles to reap. (D&C 11:20 - 27, T&C 1, Joseph Smith History, Part 14 par. 14 - 15)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>The above command was given from the Lord to Hyrum in 1829.</div><div><br /></div><div>When did the Lord declare to Hyrum that it was now in His, the Lord's, wisdom for Hyrum to go forth and minister?</div><div><br /></div><div>When did the Lord loose Hyrum's tongue and allow Hyrum to declare His, the Lord's, word?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And again, verily I say unto you that my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed as a counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father by blessing, and also by right, that from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the Patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people, that whoever he blesses shall be blessed and whoever he curses shall be cursed, that whatever he shall bind on the earth shall be bound in Heaven, and that whatever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph, that he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph, and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessings. I crown upon his head the bishopric, and blessing, and glory, and honor, and Priesthood, and gifts of the Priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery, that my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation for ever and ever. (D&C 124:91 - 96, T&C 141 par. 32)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The above revelation from the Lord concerning Hyrum came in January of 1841.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hyrum kept the word of the Lord to him from 1829 to 1841 before he became qualified to minister to others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now the Lord was loosing Hyrum's tongue and giving Hyrum His, the Lords, words and the power of God unto the convincing of men. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the Lord's own words He declared concerning Hyrum that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph, that he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph, and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessings. I crown upon his head the bishopric, and blessing, and glory, and honor, and Priesthood, and gifts of the Priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery, that my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show unto him,...</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Ministering to others and bearing record to things the Lord has shown to a person is a serious matter because it concerns the salvation of the souls of the children of men.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Prophet Joseph declared the following.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A fanciful and flowery an heated imagination beware of; because the things of God are of deep</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">of men. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 137)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was only through 12 years of meek and faithful obedience to the commandments of God and those same 12 years of meekly receiving revelation and prophecy from God that Hyrum was able to be transformed into a person who God could trust not to trifle with the souls of men; he, Hyrum received God's word.</div><div><br /></div><div>In these 12 years of obedience to the commandments of God Hyrum's mind was stretched as high as the utmost heavens and contemplated the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity. He had communed with God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that Hyrum's obedience to the commandments of God to him day by day for those twelve years is what allowed the experiences to come that stretched Hyrum's mind to things both above and below and allowed him to commune with God?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that individuals who receive the burden and obligation to minister or lead a soul to salvation, like Hyrum and Nephi, they cannot, even in the least degree, input their thoughts, words, or understanding into a message sent from God to the children of men because God's words are precise in their message and timing to the salvation of the children of men.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alma declared the following concerning this principle.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people. Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption — that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish, for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life. Yea, I know that he allotteth unto men — yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable — according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men, or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless, but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? Why should I desire that I was an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth? For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore, we see that the Lord doth counsel in his wisdom, according to that which is just and true. I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer. Yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me. Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers, for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church. Yea, the Lord God — the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — did deliver them out of bondage. Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage. Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them. Yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full. But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren who have been up to the land of Nephi. Behold, they have labored exceedingly and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward. Now when I think of the success of these my brethren, my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.(Alma 29:1 - 16, NC Alma 15 par. 12 - 13)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>These individuals are meek enough to understand that their desires are not important only God's.</div><div><br /></div><div>They understand that the Lord grants unto the children of men light and knowledge according to His wisdom.</div><div><br /></div><div>These individuals will not innovate. They will not go outside the work to which they have been called.</div><div><br /></div><div>These individuals become "angels" on earth.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For he that receives my servants receives me (T&C 82:17). The word “servants” in this context means “angels.” Angel is derived from the Greek word ággelos [ἄγγελος] which means “messenger.” The messenger must bring a message from the Lord. It does not matter if the messenger is mortal. The word describes a category of messenger that includes not only pre-mortal and post-mortal spirits, but also living men. When anyone, man or angel, is entrusted with a message from God, the message is God’s. God makes no distinction between the messenger and Himself. And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded me (Mosiah 1:18). The angel added nothing. He hid nothing. He delivered what the Lord told him to deliver. These are not merely the words of an angel. Because the angel certifies they originated from God, they are the words of God (see T&C 54:7). Joseph explained that all angels either have or do belong to this earth: But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it. Their status as angel comes from the fact they have met with God, received their assignment and authority from Him, and deliver only the message He instructs should be delivered. They are in His service, and the message is confined to what He has told them to do. Angels minister to mankind and confer power, light, and truth. They prepare one to receive the Lord. “Neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, shewing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him; and by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the holy ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.” (Moroni 7:6; emphasis added) Angels minister to “chosen vessels” or mortal messengers, as the Three Nephites did with Mormon and Moroni (see Mormon 4:2). Then these vessels testify and bear testimony so that the way is prepared that the residue of men may have faith in Christ. These three visited with Mormon, but the people to whom Mormon ministered didn’t see them. They ministered to Moroni, and those to whom Moroni ministered didn’t see them. The chosen vessels also become as ministering angels. Many people have received ministering angels. Men, women, and children have, can, and do receive angelic ministers. Angels minister to those with faith, then they are supposed to preach salvation to others. Appearances of angels, like the post-resurrection ministry of Christ, happen with the faithful. Christ appeared as a resurrected minister only to the faithful in Jerusalem. Likewise, He showed Himself to “the more righteous” who had been spared among the Nephites.(T&C Glossary of Terms, Angel)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>Because the Lord is bound by His word and because the Lord has declared that by the voice of His servants or in other words "angels" or by His own voice it is the same, is it not a terrible burden to speak in the name of the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it any wonder that the Lord, who is infinitely interested in the salvation of the children of men, who is not trifling with the souls of men, has declared that none should take His name in vain having no authority or in other words none should declare something they are speaking to be from the Lord when it is not?</div><div><br /></div><div>These mortal "angels", like Hyrum and Nephi, are indispensable to the salvation of the children of men. </div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Ministering angels are an indispensable part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why those keys were restored so early on in this Dispensation and are so widely disseminated into the LDS Church membership (see JSH 14:1). There is a system by which men learn the mysteries of heaven and are saved. That system is set out in Alma 9:7: first, angels are sent to prepare men and women; second, they are allowed to behold the Lord’s glory; third, they converse with the Lord, at which point they are taught the things that have been prepared from the foundation of the earth for their salvation. All of this is driven by the man or woman’s faith, repentance, and holy works. This is in keeping with Joseph Smith’s revelation about those chosen to become a member of the Church of the Firstborn. They are chosen by the holy angels, to whom the keys of this power belong (see T&C 74:8). If this isn’t happening, then faith does not exist on the earth any longer (see Moroni 7:7). Angels minister to “chosen vessels” or mortal messengers, as the Three Nephites did with Mormon and Moroni (see Mormon 4:2). Then these vessels testify and bear testimony so that the way is prepared that the residue of men may have faith in Christ (Moroni 7:6). These three visited with Mormon, but the people to whom Mormon ministered didn’t see them. They ministered to Moroni, and those to whom Moroni ministered didn’t see them. The chosen vessels also become as ministering angels. Heaven’s “chosen vessels” may seem most unlikely. In the cases of Alma the Younger and Saul of Tarsus, they were wicked when they were chosen. Yet both would later become ministering servants who preached righteousness to the residue of men. Many people have received ministering angels. Men, women, and children have, can, and do receive angelic ministers (see Alma 16:26). When they minister to a man or a woman, it is to enable them — the ones being ministered to — to testify and help others to likewise have faith in Christ. Angels minister to those with faith, who are supposed to then preach salvation to others.( T&C Glossary of Terms, Ministering Angels)</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>My present understanding is that an individual who arrives to this point on the journey to salvation becomes a part of the Holy Order.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of the task they are called to, to minister to the children of men, and because they are allowed to open their mouths to declare repentance to the children of men only according to the faith and heed that the children of men exercise in Christ their task is a great burden.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Knowing God’s plans does not always produce immediate joy. Solomon made this comment after a life of learning, “in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.”</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">We should not be surprised to learn that initiation into God’s mysteries can be troubling, disquieting, even a burden. If asked to carry a burden by God, do it willingly. If not asked, do not envy. Remember Alma’s statement, “behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish, for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.” It is our common enemy who stirs up jealousy and envy, rather than patience and meekness. Great works of God fail because mankind will not wait on the Lord. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The more God gives, the greater the peril. Weaknesses of appetites, ambitions, passions and covetousness is akin to trying to navigate through a narrow pass, guarded by a great beast, pitiless and cruel, that destroys all those whose zeal and impatience brings them into the reach of the beast. God has provided to us guidance on how to reach Zion. It requires self-discipline and meekness to follow the Lord rather than racing ahead of Him to destruction. ("The Religion of the Fathers", March 2021, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pgs. 61 - 62)</span><div><div><br /></div><div>Do we read in the Book of Mormon account concerning Nephi's exceeding sorrow due to his knowledge of things that he knew must surely come to pass?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we understand the burden placed upon Nephi here at the very beginning of his ministry to his brothers to open his mouth only according to the heed and diligence they were willing to give to Christ's words?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is the burden of possessing the knowledge that Hyrum and Nephi received a lonely burden?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we truly understand what a peril we would pose to the work of the Lord if we possessed the knowledge Nephi and Hyrum received, with our weaknesses of appetites, ambitions, passions and covetousness?</div><div><br /></div><div>How could we consider that we would, in a mere moment, be able to overcome our zeal and impatience which things would destroy the Lord's work if we were put in possession of the knowledge that Nephi and Hyrum received?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it any wonder that it took Hyrum 12 years of consistent obedience to the commandments of God day by day in order to become meek enough to receive such knowledge?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it possible that the Book of Mormon record is greatly compressed and so we do not totally understand what time it took or in other words how long it took Nephi to obediently live day by day according to the commandments of God in order to become meek enough to be trusted with the knowledge he received?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Nephi in any way beginning this conversation with his brothers of his own will?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to consider Nephi's first words here in his ministry to his brothers in light of my own experiences.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to apply these words to myself.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me, We have not, for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them, How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish because of the hardness of your hearts? Do ye not remember the thing which the Lord hath said, If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Nephi's first question here stems from his brothers wanting further clarification concerning the words of their father Lehi concerning the olive tree.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have heard and read many things in my lifetime that I must truly say I did not and still may not now understand; which things are in the scriptures and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and now in the teachings of a living messenger from God, Denver Snuffer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't Nephi pointing out to me in his first words to his brothers how it is that I may either continue my quest for the understanding of these things I do not understand on the one hand or perish because of the hardness of my heart on the other hand?</div><div><br /></div><div>I must confess that I have in the past hoped to find information from another mortal who has received what Nephi received instead of inquiring of the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't such a course filled with the same attitude that Nephi's brothers had that the Lord maketh no such thing known unto (me)?</div><div><br /></div><div>My present understanding is that such a course is a course that would lead me to perish.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has taken me a while to come around but I do presently agree with the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I have not written any explanation for the Second Anointing or Calling and Election process. I do not think it is important or meaningful to ever write anything about it. What is important is to understand “how” someone would make changes in their lives to then be taught things directly from the Lord. He has a continuing ministry. You should be interested in having Him as your minister.<br /><br />The books I have written do not ever touch upon Calling and Election, nor discuss the Second Anointing. But they will tell you what is required to go and learn from the Lord about these things directly. If you want answers about that, then follow the same path as the ancients did, as Joseph Smith did, and as Abraham did. I’m only interested in helping you understand the path.<br /><br />Beyond that, the details of such things are simply irrelevant to someone who is not invited to participate. It is pure voyeurism without any purpose. Rather like putting jewelery on pigs, which Christ recommended against. Not that the inquiry comes from a “pig” but the answer would be subject to public scrutiny by everyone on the web.<br /><br />The fact you are aware there is more to the Gospel is important. The fact that you become entitled to receive things pertaining to a higher law by living that higher law is also important. What you should focus on is the living, not the curiosity about things which you are not yet prepared to receive. Prepare to receive them. Everything else will be answered to your entire satisfaction once you are. ("Clarification", Denversnuffer.com, May 2, 2010)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div>Doesn't the above statement reflect what Nephi declared to his brothers that <span style="color: #2b00fe;">If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you?</span></div><div> </div><div><div><div><div>I do believe that there is a specific purpose for the Lord to reveal His mysteries to those who exercise faith in Him and obey His voice.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the following explains my present understanding for the Lord's purpose mentioned above.</div><div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Back in those days, I thought all you people had these things. And then there was the patriarchal blessing that I got which said, this is a quote, that “you will again be in the presence of your Father in Heaven while in the second estate.” That’s in my patriarchal blessing. And I thought, well, of course; it belongs there. That’s what we do, isn’t it? I thought we were related to God in an intimate way because, well, the heavens were opened.<br /><br />And therefore, it was not, to me, shocking when I encountered an angel. And I have encountered many of them. And all of them leave a vivid and permanent impression. I can tell you that it’s been nearly 40 years since the first time I met with an angel. And I can still close my eyes and see the scene this minute.<br /><br />This stuff happens. My experiences matter only because I can testify that it happens. The content is nothing but voyeurism for you. You need to have a connection with heaven. The scriptures are the authorized accounts given to us that testify to these things. The Lectures on Faith are trying to set it forth in a comprehensive way so that we can all get it. But the gospel is supposed to be a living, breathing, miraculous thing in your life. Whether I’m saved or not doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you are saved or not. And the way in which you become saved is by coming to know “eternal certainty,” the last words in verse 56. And “eternal certainty” is about your salvation, so that you’re not dependent upon someone else for your knowledge of God, but so that you can say in your own right, “I know.”... Nephi couldn’t have been more plain if he had said, “Here’s my guidebook. Here’s my rule book. Here’s my pattern-recognition sequence. You go and do likewise.” He’s trying to get us to get our hands around, as Joseph Smith put it, the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ involves the path to and through the veil into the presence of God, becoming joint heir, becoming a son of God. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith page 375, he refers to “sons of God who exalt themselves to be God even before they were born, and all can cry Abba, Father.”<br /><br />Joseph wanted us to take the religion that he restored to the earth rather seriously and to search into and contemplate both the heavens and the darkest abyss. (Podcast #29 Patriarchal Blessings, Denver Snuffer Podcast, August 5, 2018)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>My present understanding is that I need to receive understanding and revelation from the Lord so that I can have a connection personally with heaven and by obedience to what is received by that connection come to the point were I possess "eternal certainty" so that I know in my own right that I am saved.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It’s intended to have you understand that He lives, and that He’s willing to associate with you. And that it’s not, as Joseph Smith put it, relying on the words of an old book, the people who lived once long ago, that’s going to save anyone. It’s the dialogue that you engage in with Him now. It’s the living, breathing, vital… He uses the figure of the living vine. And you have to connect to the living vine, and He’s the vine, and you connect to it, and you get life through that. Words could not be more plain.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">He’s trying to get… I mean, what does it mean to be connected up with the vine and to derive sustenance from it? I mean, you have to be alive, which is not inert or an object that you move from there to there. If it’s alive, it’s going to grow. It’s going to increase. It’s going to improve. It’s going to have connection with. It’s going to have… Christ was extraordinary in His selection of the things that He wanted to use to communicate to us what He intended the gospel to be. And we read them and say, “That’s cool. I’ll pay my tithing. I’m connected. I got a card, I’m connected.” Well, it’s intended to be more than that, and the way that it becomes more than that is an individual journey in which you receive from Him and become a part of Him, and He does His best to try and use analogies and parables and stories to make it clear to us. And the history of the events that are recorded in scripture are intended to try and make it clear to us, but at the end of the day it’s up to you to have the “aha moment” and realize He really is talking to and inviting you. You, individually, whoever you are, wherever you’re at, whatever your confusion, whatever your doubts, whatever your uncertainties, He wants to talk to you about them. (Podcast #29 Patriarchal Blessings, Denver Snuffer Podcast, August 5, 2018)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><div>Please also consider the following.</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I stand beside a great ocean and I cannot convey it to you. I am but a man and all I have is a cup with which to show you. If I labor all my life using my cup I can never convey the ocean to you. Using the limited talent and means I have, with only a cup at a time, I can never convey enough to allow you to comprehend the ocean’s sheer size. My effort mocks the great ocean because my measure is too modest, comparatively microscopic. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Using a cup, how can I ever portray the depth and pressure of the ocean? How can you ever discover its vast range of temperature in my small cup? How will you understand the relation between temperature and current, or the great power of the ocean’s current? How shall I explain the effect of the moon on the ocean’s tides when I have only a cup to declare it to you? How will the great diversity of both plant and animal life living in the ocean ever be understood when I have only a cup to show you? In the top 600 feet of the ocean lives 90% of known oceanic animal life, but the ocean is over 36,000 feet deep. Mount Everest rises 29,000 feet, and the ocean plunges down more than 7,000 feet beyond Everest’s height. If 90% of the animal life we know lives in less than the top 2% of the ocean, how much life is there in the oceans we know nothing about. Life we have not even a hint exists may thrive in abundance in depths completely hidden from our knowledge.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> The grandeur of Christ’s gospel makes my capacity to declare it pitiful. I confess my inability, and I fear I can never do enough to help this generation to awaken and arise. If I can help you grasp even a little of it, then let me point you to God who can do the rest. Men cannot utter what you need to learn. I am not capable, and it is not lawful. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[G]reat and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his Kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpasses all understanding, in glory, and in might, and in dominion, which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for men to utter, neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him and purify themselves before him, to whom he grants the privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves that through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You can know. God can show it to you. I testify that has and does happen. But if God deigns to show you some of His great mysteries, never think that excuses you from the labor still left undone. Rejoice in your knowledge, but do not forsake God’s work. (Keep the Covenant: Do the Work, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. 2018, pg. 7)</span></div></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div>If I personally fail to follow such a course do I remain in the same situation as Nephi's brothers in being of the opinion that the Lord maketh no such thing known unto me?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I ever be able to overcome my weaknesses (which are multitude), my misguided zeal, and my impatience if I am not willing to let the Lord, who knows me better than I know myself, guide me day by day through my life experiences and revelation to me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I really believe what has been said that He wants to talk to me about my confusion, my uncertainties and my doubts?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I really believe that He can make known unto me the vastness of the ocean of His gospel?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I really do believe these things then my present understanding is that this is the path that I must follow in order to give heed to the Lord's words through Nephi to ask in faith, believing that I will receive with diligence in obeying His commandments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I expect that such a journey would require a great deal of time, years maybe even decades, in living day by day demonstrating obedience to the Lord and looking to Him as I ought as was discussed in the previous post?</div><div><br /></div><div>If I am to be truthful I must state that such an individual journey is frightening to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have expressed to a very good friend that it is really terrifying to me to consider what works the Lord will perform in my life if I give my life over to Him completely.</div><div><br /></div><div>I say that because it is true. I don't know what must occur in my life to break my heart so that I cry out to the Lord. I don't know what life experiences will come along so that my resolve to obey His word will be sufficiently tested to show that I will look to Him as I ought to. </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the only way materials can be completely tested for total integrity is to perform tests on them that destroy them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe, from what I have read in the scriptures, that that is the manner in which the Lord is able to prove those who would truly follow Him, and be connected to Him, and be able to know that He is and that He is willing to make all such things known unto them.</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now the question that remains for me is do I have the courage to go forward?</div>Jon Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596840215402364372noreply@blogger.com0